§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if in his dis-
MAINTAINED SCHOOLS INCLUDING NURSERY AND SPECIAL—ENGLAND October 1979 October 1978 (i) pupils in attendance … … … … … … 7,576,798 7,729,484 (ii) numbers taking dinners … … … … … … 4,854,938 5,096,433 as a proportion of pupils in attendance … … … … 64.1% 65.9% (a) numbers taking dinners on payment … … … … 3,956,170 4,022,367 as a proportion of pupils in attendance … … … … 52.2% 52.0% (b) numbers taking dinners free … … … … … 898,768 1,074,066 as a proportion of pupils in attendance … … … … 11.9% 13.9% A detailed statement of the returns from local education authorities from which these national figures are taken is being placed in the Library.
On the day of the census, school dinners were taken by 75.5 per cent. of pupils present in primary schools—75.0 per cent. in 1978—and by 50.6 per cent. of pupils present in secondary schools—53.9 per cent. in 1978.
212Wcussions on the curriculum he will emphasise the importance of legible handwriting by teachers and students at all levels of education.
§ Dr. BoysonThe forthcoming consultations will deal primarily with issues and aspects of the school curriculum of importance at local authority level, and not with teaching methods or the content of lessons. My right hon. and learned Friend is always concerned to promote high standards of achievement, in handwriting as in other skills, and Her Majesty's Inspectorate continues to encourage attention to this.