§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce an allowance for children's meals during holiday periods, where the parent has to meet the cost, when during school terms it may be possible for free school meals to be obtained.
§ Mr. OrmeNo. I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the children of supplementary benefit recipients. Supplementary benefit scale rates are intended to cover all normal requirements, but the provision of free school meals during term time is disregarded in calculating entitlement to benefit. As with other "disregards", it would therefore be inappropriate for the supplementary benefits scheme to replace the additional benefit they represent when free school meals are not available.