HC Deb 19 February 1981 vol 999 cc213-4W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list local education authorities in Scotland which provide free school meals for children (a) only in families receiving family income supplement and supplementary benefit, (b) on the basis of the income eligibility test operated in 1979–80, (c) on the basis of an income eligibility test less generous than that operated in 1979–80,

Estimate of relevant expenditure for calculation of rate support grant and specific grants (a) £million Rate of aggregate (b) Percent. Amount of aggregate grants (c) £million Near-actual relevant expenditure (d) £million
1970–71 383.5 65.5 251.3 396.3
1971–72 443.8 66.0 292.7 461.0
1972–73 515.9 66.5 343.9 541.0
1973–74 635.7 68.0 431.5 651.2
1974–75 840.4 68.0 596.9 883.6
1975–76 977.7 75.0 736.8 1,037.1
1976–77 1,330.4 72.5 941.8 1,334.1
1977–78 1,478.8 68.5 1,008.5 1429.5
1978–79 1,654.1 68.5 1,127.3 1,667.5
1979–80 2,013.5 68.5 1,298.5 2,013.0

Notes: (1) The relevant expenditure figures in columns (a) and (d) are at out-turn prices and include loan charges.

(2) From 1976–77, the amounts of aggregate grants have been restricted by the operation of cash limits.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tenants of public sector houses in Scotland were in receipt of rent rebates at the latest convenient date; and what was the comparable figure for 1977.

Mr. Rifkind

As at 30 September 1980, 244,525 public sector tenants were in receipt of rent rebates. These figures do not include householders receiving support towards housing costs through supplementary benefit. Comparable information for 30 September 1977 was published in Scottish Housing Statistics No. 1.

(d) on the basis of the income eligibility test circulated by the Department of Education and Science, (e) on the basis of an income eligibility test more generous than that circulated by the Department of Education and Science and (f) according to any other criterion.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The information, as at October 1980, is as follows:

  1. (a) Borders
    • Dumfries and Galloway
    • Grampian
    • Highland
    • Tayside
    • In some cases a few additional applications may be granted exceptionally.
  2. (b) Central
    • Fife
    • Lothian
    • Strathclyde
    • Orkney Shetland
  3. (c) None.
  4. (d) and
  5. (e) No eligibility test has been circulated in Scotland.
  6. (f) Western Isles.