§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the results of the annual census of school meals in Scotland held in January; what were the corresponding 1988 results; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Langthe information obtained from the census is set out in the table. The 1989 census is the first following the changes in entitlement to free school meals introduced under the Social Security Act 1986 on 11 April 1988. It
Education Authority Schools (including nursery and special schools) 1989 1988 Number As percentage of pupils present Number As percentage of pupils present Pupils present on Census day 713,034 — 729,505 — Pupils taking school meals on payment 223,456 31.3 184,780 25.3 free 105,232 14.8 145,219 19.9 total 328,688 46.1 329,999 45.2 Pupils bringing own food on school premises 104,266 14.6 98,488 13.5 A detailed statement of the returns from education authorities from which these national figures are derived is being placed in the Library.
Primary Secondary 1989 Per cent. 1988 Per cent. 1989 Per cent. 1988 Per cent. Pupils taking school meals 51.5 50.0 42.1 41.8 Pupils bringing own food 22.2 20.6 5.3 5.3 All authorities provide the fixed traditional 2 course The figures are as follows; meals and cafeteria style meals, with the latter accounting for 64 per cent. of all meals served.
1989 Percent. of pupils present 1988 Percent of pupils present Paid Free Total Paid Free Total Pupils taking fixed meals 74,345 44,327 118,672 16.6 97,635 109,937 207,572 28.5 Pupils taking cafeteria meals 149,111 60,905 210,016 29.5 87,145 35,282 122,427 16.8