§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Prime Minister what is her latest estimate of the cost for the United Kingdom as a whole of free school meals in (a) 1983–84, (b) 1984–85 and (c) 1985–86.
§ The Prime Minister"Free" school meals are, of course, paid for through rates and taxes. The cost of providing them to pupils in the United Kingdom is estimated to have been £232 million in 1983–84 and £251 million in 1984–85. Both figures are in cash terms. It is not possible to give corresponding information for 1985–86.