§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the subsidy as a percentage of the total gross cost of school meals in Scotland in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherFinancial returns for 1978–79 have not yet been received from all authorities. The percentage subsidy for each of the five years up to and including 1977–78 was as follows:
1973–74 74 per cent. 1974–75 75 per cent. 1975–76 75 per cent. 1976–77 75 per cent. 1977–78 71 per cent.
§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current qualifying level for free school meals in terms of net earnings for a (a) one-child, (b) two-child, (c) three-child and (d) four-child family in Scotland.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe net weekly income levels at which families of one child, two, three and four children are entitled to free meals for one child are £40.40, £48.50, £56.60 and £64.70, respectively. In the case of the larger families, entitlement for another child arises at each step of £1.50 below these levels. The income levels will be raised on 12 November to £46.05, £55.30, £64.55 and £73.80. There will be no change in the £1.50.
§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the breakdown in the cost of a school meal in Scotland in terms of (a) food, (b) wages and salaries and (c) other expenditure.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe most recent figures available are for 1977–78 when the average breakdown for Scotland was as follows:
Component Cost (pence) Food 17 Wages and Salaries 25 Other overheads 8 Total 50