HC Deb 16 November 1973 vol 864 cc263-5W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the present net cost of providing free school dinners on a non-means-tested basis.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

At present take-up rates the cost of providing free school meals for pupils at maintained schools would be approximately £250 million a year, of which £90 million would represent the income forgone by remitting the standard charge. But there would almost certainly be an increase in demand with resultant overall costs of the order of £350 million a year.

Mr. Roper

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total cost of free school meals for the most recent period for which information was available.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Approximately £34 million in 1972–73, of which £19½ million represents the income forgone from remitting the standard charge.

Mr. Roper

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is now available on the take-up of free school meals.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

The latest complete figures are for October 1972, when 850,000 pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in England and Wales, representing 10.7 per cent. of the numbers of pupils in attendance, received free school meals. Full information from the 1973 census is not yet available.

Mr. Roper

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her estimate of the additional costs involved if the take-up rate of free school meals was increased to 100 per cent. of those eligible.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

It is estimated that about 80 per cent. of the pupils who qualify for free school meals take advantage of their entitlement, though it is impossible to be precise about a figure of this kind. On this basis the additional annual cost involved if all those eligible received the meal free of charge would be between £5 million and £7.5 million depending on the proportion of those who now pay for their meal.

Mr. Roper

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her estimate of the additional costs involved if free school meals were supplied (i) to all those now taking school meals, and (ii) to all those attending school.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Approximately £90 million and £230 million a year respectively.