HC Deb 16 June 1971 vol 819 c111W
Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to be able to give figures for the numbers of school children in the Inner London Education Authority area taking school meals in May, 1971, as compared with previously.

Mr. van Straubenzee

At the May, 1971 census, 202,000 or 54.2 per cent. of pupils present at maintained schools in the I.L.E.A. area took the school meal, compared with 254,000 or 65.6 per cent. at the autumn, 1970 census. Free meals served in May numbered 61,300, or 30.4 per cent. of the total taking meals, compared with 57,800 or 22.8 per cent. in the autumn.