HC Deb 19 November 1969 vol 791 cc324-5W
65. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will refuse to sanction increases in the charges for school meals in view of the financial hardship caused and the risk of fewer children taking school dinners.

Miss Bacon

No. As my right hon. Friend said to the House on Monday, this is a Government decision which they have taken after full consideration. Parents who cannot pay the new charge without financial hardship will be entitled to free school meals for their children. Experience suggests that any reduction in take-up of school meals will be slight and temporary.—[Vol. 791, c. 861–4.]

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE* ON PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDING IN THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF SHEFFIELD
1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66
£ £ £ £ £
Primary 55,693 236 396,857 228,522
Secondary 318,874 682,900 845,597 300,867 76,268
Total 374,567 682,900 845,833 697,724 304,790
1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70†
£ £ £ £
Primary 179,032 308,194 365,337 166,546
Secondary 144,526 210,383 477,386 460,213
Total 323,558 518,577 842,723 626,759
NOTES:
*Including expenditure on voluntary schools, but excluding the purchase of sites, professional fees and the cost of furniture and equipment. Since construction periods vary from project to project, expenditure in a given year may relate to more than one annual building programme.
† This column includes estimated sums for the period 1.10.69 to 31.3.70.