HC Deb 26 October 1977 vol 936 cc821-3W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish figures showing the estimated number of pupils of those eligible taking up free school meals in each of the past 17 years, giving absolute and percentage figures and the price of school meals for each year.

Miss Margaret Jackson:

Actual numbers of pupils eligible for free school meals are not accurately known. However, it is estimated that in 1966, the earliest year for which an estimate is available, some 50 per cent. of such pupils took up their entitlement. As a result of publicity campaigns by my Department in collaboration with the local education authorities the proportion rose to 75 per cent. by 1969 and to 80 per cent. by 1970. In 1975–76 it dropped to 70 per cent. but is estimated to have recovered to 75 per cent. in 1976–77.

The numbers of pupils who received free meals are shown below, together with details of the meals charge:

MAINTAINED SCHOOLS (INCLUDING NURSERY AND SPECIAL) IN ENGLAND AND WALES
Year (October) Number of pupils (000's) in receipt of free school meals Charge for meals
p
1960 247 5
1961 238 5
1962 260 5
1963 289 5
1964 281 5
1965 308 5
1966 330 5
1967 404 5
1968 841
1969 594
1970 627 9
1971 805 12
1972 850 12
1973 795 12
1974 750 12
1975 784 15
1976 839 15

The pupil numbers relate to a day in October on which the school meals census was taken for the year in question.

Mr. Pendry

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in the light of the recent increase in the cost of school meals, what was the level of take up (a) in October 1976, and (b) just before the 1977 summer holiday, in comparison with the current level of take up; and for the same dates, how many

MAINTAINED SCHOOLS (INCLUDING NURSERY AND SPECIAL) IN ENGLAND AND WALES
(000's)
October 1976 May 1977
Day pupils present 8,440 8,485
Taking mid-day meal 5,836 5,705
As proportion of pupils present (69.1℅) (67.2℅)
Receiving free school meal 839 883
As proportion of pupils present (9.9℅) (10.4℅)

The October census of pupils taking dinners is currently underway and complete results will be available by the end

October 1976 May 1977 October 1977
(000's)
Day pupils present 160 160 156
Taking mid-day meal 107 103 96
As proportion of pupils present (66.9%) (64.4%) (61.4%)
Receiving free school meal 14 14 17
As proportion of pupils present (8.8%) (9.0%) (10.9%)

Figures for pupils entitled to free school meals are not known, but our best present estimate is that 75 per cent. of the pupils eligible to receive free school meals in 1976–77 took up their entitlement. The estimated effect of the substantial increase in August of the net income scale for the remission of the school meal charge, taken together with the increase due in November when the supplementary benefit rates increase, is that an additional 500,000 free school meals will be taken.

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