HC Deb 11 December 1973 vol 866 cc73-5W
Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the results of the October census of school meals are now available; and how they compare with that of the census carried out in October 1972.

Mrs. Thatcher

In October 5,416,000 or 66.1 per cent. of pupils at maintained schools in England and Wales took the school dinner compared with 5,076,000 or 64 per cent. in October 1972. Free dinners served in October numbered 795,000 or 14.7 per cent. of the total compared with 850,000 or 16.7 per cent. last year.

A detailed statement of the returns from local education authorities on which these figures are based will be placed in the Library. This statement, with the agreement of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, includes returns from Welsh authorities.

The census collected information about pupils buying snack meals in schools, and those bringing their own food to eat at midday. The numbers were 23,000 and 526,000 respectively, compared with 19,000 and 526,000 last year.

On the day of the census, school dinners were being taken by 72.3 per cent. of all pupils present in primary schools (68.9 per cent. last year), and by 56.5 per cent. in secondary schools (55.8 per cent. last year). All but 900 of the snack meals were being taken in secondary schools, and one in 10 secondary pupils brought sandwiches as compared with one in 25 primary pupils.

Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the results of the October census for school milk are now available.

Mrs. Thatcher

In October, 1,932,000 pupils in England and Wales, being pupils in special schools or pupils in other schools entitled to it on age grounds, were receiving free milk. In addition 87,000 primary school pupils over the age of 7 were receiving free school milk on health grounds. These figures represent 95 per cent. and 3 per cent. of the respective age groups present on the day of the census. On that day 59 local education authorities had made arrangements for the sale of milk in a total of 1,229 primary and 46 secondary schools. This statement, with the agreement of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, includes returns from Welsh authorities.