HC Deb 03 April 1985 vol 76 c611W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many times Standing Order No. 2 has been invoked in each year since 1968; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Biffen

Before the adoption by the House of Standing Order No. 2 on 12 November 1968 a temporary order with similar effect (agreed to by the House on 12 December 1967) was used six times in 1968. The

Maintained Schools (including nursery and special): England
October 1984 October 1983
Numbers As percentage of pupils in attendance Numbers As percentage of pupils in attendance
Pupils in attendance 6,613,026 6,770,975
Pupils taking school meals
On payment 2,243,548 33.9 2,406,955 35.5
Free 1,147,886 17.4 1,074,882 15.9
Total 3,391,434 51.3 3,481,837 51.4
Pupils bringing own food 1,940,682 29.3 1,909,718 28.2
Pupils having other arrangements 1,280,910 19.4 1,379,420 20.4

An analysis of the returns shows the following proportions for primary and secondary pupils, as percentages of pupils in attendance.

percentage
Primary Secondary
1984 1983 1984 1983
Pupils taking school meals 53.4 54.2 48.2 47.8
Pupils bringing own food 35.7 34.4 23.2 22.5
Pupils having other arrangements 10.9 11.4 28.6 29.7

Detailed tabulations on the returns from local education authorities from which these national figures are taken are being placed in the Library.