HC Deb 14 January 1980 vol 976 cc571-2W
Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schoolchildren in (a) the city of Manchester and (b) the area covered by Greater Manchester council are in receipt of (i) school meals and (ii) free school meals.

Mr. Macfarlane

On a day in October 1979 the number of pupils taking dinners in schools maintained by the city of Manchester was 57,255–72.4 per cent. of those present—of whom 23,180–29.3 per cent. of those present—received them free of charge. Corresponding figures for the whole of the area covered by the Greater Manchester council were 316,442–67.6 per cent.—and 77,490–16.5 per cent.

Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children were in receipt of school meals at the end of the summer term 1979 in (a) the city of Manchester and (b) the area covered by the county of Greater Manchester.

Mr. Macfarlane

This information is not available in my Department and I would advise the hon. Member to approach the local education authorities concerned.