HC Deb 11 June 1980 vol 986 cc195-6W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children took school dinners for each of the years 1978, 1979 and for the latest date available in 1980 ; and if he will show, in each case, the percentage of children receiving free meals.

Dr. Boyson

The information given below is for pupils in maintained schools in England and is based on the school meals census carried out on a day in the autumn terms 1978 and 1979. No information is available for 1980.

Free meals as a percentage of :
Meals taken(000's) Meals taken Pupils present
1978 5,096 21.1 13.9
1979 4,855 18.5 11.9

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number by which school meals have fallen in primary and secondary schools in the county of Derbyshire between May 1979 and May 1980.

Dr. Boyson

This information is not available to the Department. I suggest the hon. Member consults the Derbyshire local education authority.