HC Deb 22 July 1975 vol 896 cc173-4W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report those local education authorities which run free school meal schemes during the summer holidays.

Miss Joan Lestor

The latest returns show that during the financial year 1973–74, the following 32—existing or former—local education authorities provided school dinners on days when their schools did not meet:

  • Cumberland
  • Durham
  • Derbyshire
  • Dorset
  • Birkenhead
  • Birmingham
  • Blackburn
  • Blackpool
  • Bolton
  • Bootle
  • Brighton
  • Bristol
  • Coventry
  • Kingston-upon-Hull
  • Leeds
  • Liverpool
  • Manchester
  • Preston
  • Reading
  • Stockport
  • Stoke-on-Trent
  • Wallasey
  • Ealing
  • Harrow
  • Hillingdon
  • Hounslow
  • Newham
  • Waltham
  • Forest
  • I.L.E.A.
  • Pembrokeshire
  • Merthyr Tydfil
  • Newport

Because of the reorganisation of local government in April 1974, returns were not received from 17 former authorities, but it is likely that among these a further five made some provision for holiday meals.

The provision of school dinners during holidays is not solely for the benefit of pupils entitled to free meals, but the normal arrangements for charging and for remitting the charges on grounds of hardship apply.

Authorities' returns relate to the provision of meals during all holidays and on other days when schools do not meet, but it is likely that in every area where provision was made it included the service of meals during the longer summer holidays.

Information about 1974–75 should be available within three months.