HC Deb 30 April 1981 vol 3 c446W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of children in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools within (i) Wolverhampton and (ii) the West Midlands (1) have free school meals, (2) pay for school meals and (3) bring packed lunches at the latest available date and at the end of May 1979.

Mr. Macfarlane

The following is the information requested, the latest available being the census returns for October 1980:

October 1980 May 1979
Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
Per cent Per cent Per cent Per cent
Wolverhampton
(1) Free Meals 14.1 11.1 12.3 6.3
(2) Paid Meals 39.2 22.3 39.5 10.5
(3) Packed Lunches 16.5 25.4 N/A N/A
West Midlands
(1) Free Meals 15.5 10.6 15.7 10.2
(2) Paid Meals 40.2 27.1 49.9 25.1
(3) Packed Lunches 18.5 22.0 N/A N/A

Percentages refer to the proportion of pupils present on the day of the consuses who were in the relevant categories.

Figures for May 1979 were distorted by the effects of industrial action in Wolverhampton schools on the census day.

Information about the numbers of pupils bringing packed lunches was not sought from LEAs in May 1979.