HC Deb 25 May 1979 vol 967 cc275-6W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list (a) the numbers eligible and (b) the numbers claiming free school meals for each year since 1945; and if he will present the data on the numbers claiming as a percentage of those eligible.

Dr. Boyson

The numbers of pupils in maintained schools in England and Wales taking a free school meal on the day of the autumn census, and the proportions of pupils present which these numbers represented are as follows:

Year* Numbers receiving free school meals (thousands) As a percentage of pupils present
1956 216 3.4
1957 218 3.5
1958 238 3.7
1959 254 3.9
1960 247 3.8
1961 238 3.6
1962 260 4.0
1963 289 4.5
1964 281 4.3
1965 308 4.6
1966 330 4.8
1967 404 5.8
1968 841 11.7
1969 594 8.0
1970 627 8.3
1971 805 10.3
1972 850 10.7
1973 795 9.7
1974 750 9.1
1975 784 9.3
1976 839 9.9
1977 997 11.9
1978 1,159 14.1
* Figures for years prior to 1956 are not available.

Figures for the number of children eligible to receive free school meals are not available. Estimates, based on family expenditure survey data, suggest that the take-up of entitlement in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976 was of the order of 80 per cent., 80 per cent., 70 per cent. and 80 per cent. respectively. An estimate for 1977 is not yet available.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in which of the member States of the European Community and Sweden there is statutory provision for a school meals service; and where school meals are provided, to what extent the service is subsidised by the taxpayer or ratepayer.

Dr. Boyson

As well as in the United Kingdom, I understand that in Belgium, Eire, and Sweden there is statutory provision for a school meals service. In Eire and Sweden meals are free; in Belgium they are subsidised, but my Department has no information about the level of subsidy. In the United Kingdom, about 20 per cent. of meals served to pupils are free and on the remainder there is a subsidy to the paying pupil of about 50 per cent. of the cost of providing the meal.