§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment his Department has made of the distribution cost of installing vending machines in schools selling only water, fresh milk, juice and fruit; and if he will make a statement; [184541]
(2) whether his Department has conducted research into installing healthy vending machines in schools; and if he will study the example of the Green Machine when conducting work in this area; [184542]
(3) what correspondence his Department has had from (a) the National Association of Head Teachers and (b) the National Association of Schoolmasters/ Union of Women Teachers on vending machines in schools; and if he will make a statement. [184543]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggThe provision of vending machines in schools is determined by individual school governing bodies.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has not carried out any assessment of the distribution cost of installing vending machines which offer healthy food and drink, nor conducted research into installing healthy vending machines in schools. However, DfES and Department of Health are jointly funding the `Food in Schools' (FiS) initiative, which includes an investigation of how healthy food and drink can be offered in vending machines in schools.
In addition, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently investigated the economic viability of healthier drinks vending provision in schools, and their findings are published in "A Feasibility Study into Healthier Drinks Vending in Schools" which can be found on the FSA's website: www.foodstandards.gov.uk/news/ newsarchive/2004/apr/vending
Information about the Green Machine has been forwarded to officials in DoH and FSA who lead on vending machine projects.
We have not received correspondence about vending machines from the National Association of Head Teachers or the National Association of Schoolmasters/ Union of Women Teachers.