§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has studied the report of the Child Poverty Action Group on the operation of free school meals; and whether he will now take steps to ensure that local education authorities cease segregating children who receive free meals in any manner.
§ Mr. ArmstrongI have not received a copy of this report. Local education authorities have been told on many occasions by departmental circulars that the collection of dinner money and the dining arrangements should be organised in such a way that those receiving free school meals cannot be identified by other pupils. I am now considering whether there is a need to remind authorities again of the importance of ensuring that pupils who receive free school meals are not subject to any discrimination.