HC Deb 07 December 1979 vol 975 c380W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated cost of administering free school meals.

Mr. Macfarlane

The cost of administering the school meals service as a whole in England and Wales in 1978–79 was about £11 million. Although an accurate figure for the cost of administering free school meals is not available, it is estimated to be well under £1 million.