§ Mr. John Garrettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if children supported wholly by their parents' student grants or by student hardship allowances will continue to be entitled to free school meals under the provisions of the Education (No. 2) Bill.
§ Dr. BoysonThere will be no automatic entitlement to free school meals in the circumstances specified. Under clause 22 of the Education (No. 2) Bill, an authority will be under a duty to make free provision as it considers necessary for pupils whose parents receive supplementary benefit or family income supplement. In addition, an authority will have a duty to remit the charge in whole or in part for any pupil if, having regard to the circumstances, it considers it appropriate to do so. This will enable an authority to provide free meals to pupils whose parents are students if the authority considers this appropriate in the circumstances.