§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what amount has been expended each year since 1960 from Government sources on the school meals service; and what is the latest estimated annual saving due to the recent change in school meals policy.
§ Mr. Denis HowellNet public expenditure (including capital expenditure) on the School Meals Service was as follows:—
£000 1960–61 45,233 1961–62 49,843 1962–63 54,064 1963–64 56,309 1964–65 64,328 1965–66 72,918 1966–67 84,815 1967–68 (provisional) 92,140 The estimated annual saving resulting from the decision to end next April the scheme under which free meals were provided to the children of large families irrespective of parental income is about £4 million.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the recent policy change expected to result in a reduction of £4 million a year in the school meals service, he will consider making available a similar sum to be spent on the development of nursery education in deprived areas.
§ Mr. Edward ShortOf the £20 million to £25 million to be spent up to March, 1972 on the urban programme announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secre-334W tary on 22nd July a significant part will be devoted to the development of nursery education in deprived areas.