§ 28. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate she has made of the fall in the numbers of children taking school meals after the next price increase; how many children now qualify for free school meals and how many will qualify; and what will be the total cost, of all free meals to her Department.
§ Mrs. ThatcherA fall of about 12 per cent.; 800,000 now, 1 million under the new arrangements. Over £19 million.
§ 38. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is aware of public concern at the forthcoming increase in price of school meals from 9p to 12p, especially when such increases are to apply to 417W children attending infants and nursery schools; and whether she will now take steps to prevent such increases being passed on to children attending nursery classes.
§ Mrs. ThatcherI am satisfied that under the new remission arrangements no parent who cannot afford to pay the increased charge for the school meal will be called upon to do so.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied with the operation of the law on the provision of cheap and free school meals in the Greater London area; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe charge for the school dinner and the arrangements for remitting it in cases of hardship are prescribed in the Provision of Milk and Meals Regulations (as amended). They are the same for all local education authorities and I have no reason to think that they are not being applied satisfactorily in the Greater London area.