§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the net cost at 1978 survey prices of providing school meals in 1977–78; what is the planned net cost to public funds for 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82; and how much of the total net cost in each of the years is accounted for by the cost of providing free meals to (a) qualifying pupils and (b) teachers and school meals staff.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe estimated out-turn expenditure in Scotland for 1977–78, 605W and the planned expenditure for later years based on the latest public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 7049) revalued to 1978 survey prices are as follows:
Cost of provision of free meals for Year Total net cost (a) pupils (b) adults £ million £ million £ million 1977–78 37.2 14.6 3.6 1978–79 32.3* 18.2 3.8 1979–80 28.2 17.9 3.6 1980–81 27.2 17.7 3.6 1981–82 25.9 17.6 3.5 * The decision, announced in the Budget Statement on 11th April 1978, not to increase the charge for the school dinner this autumn will add £4.5 million to this figure. No decision about the level of charge has been taken for years after 1978–79.