§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give a detailed list of the outside persons and organisations with whom he discussed the question 130W of the curb on free school meals; and whether he will publish a summary of the views of those concerned.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThe decision to withdraw free school meals from children of large families, irrespective of their parents' income, was a Government decision and was not discussed beforehand with outside bodies.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how the means test will operate with regard to the granting of free school meals to children; and whether this means test will be carried out by the local education authorities.
§ Mr. Denis HowellLocal education authorities will continue to provide free meals to children of parents who are unable to pay the charge without financial hardship in the same manner as they have done for over 20 years. Income scales for this purpose, approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, which are at present in use in respect of families of less than four children, will come into use for these larger families also next April.