School Meals

HC Deb 16 July 1979 vol 970 c382W

Mr. David Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which member countries of the European Community provide school meals.

Dr. Boyson

My information is that, in addition to the United Kingdom, Belgium and Eire have national school meals services and that meals are provided in some schools in France and Italy.

Mr. David Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much public expenditure would be reduced if parents accepted the full cost of school meals.

Dr. Boyson

If parents of the 4 million children in England and Wales who now pay for their school meals were to pay an economic charge, the reduction in public expenditure would be of the order of £200 million annually.