School Meals (Hansard, 12 May 1981)

§ 19. Mr. Renton
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will review the statutory requirements for the provision of school meals.

§ Mr. Macfarlane
My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so.

§ Mr. Foster
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of children in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools within (i) the Northern region, (ii) Durham county council and (c) Bishop Auckland constituency (1) have free school meals, (2) pay for school meals and (3) bring packed lunches at the latest available date and at the end of May 1979.

§ Mr. Macfarlane
The following information relating to the Northern region and the Durham county council is derived from local education authority school meals census returns for October 1980, the latest available, and May 1979. Information is not available for the Bishop Auckland constituency and the hon. Member may wish to approach the Durham local education authority.
247W

October 1980 May 1979

Primary per cent. Secondary per cent. Primary per cent. Secondary per cent.

Northern Region

a. Free Meals 16.3 11.8 18.1 12.4

b. Paid Meals 50.8 36.6 59.0 37.1

c. Packed Lunches 9.8 10.8 N/A N/A

Durham

a. Free Meals 16.5 12.4 18.7 13.6

b. Paid Meals 60.9 34.0 64.1 34.3

c. Packed Lunches 5.8 14.1 N/A N/A

1. Percentages are expressed as a proportion of the number of pupils present on the day of the censuses.
2. Information is not available about the numbers of pupils bringing packed lunches in May 1979.

	October 1980	May 1979
	Primary per cent.	Secondary per cent.	Primary per cent.	Secondary per cent.
Northern Region
a. Free Meals	16.3	11.8	18.1	12.4
b. Paid Meals	50.8	36.6	59.0	37.1
c. Packed Lunches	9.8	10.8	N/A	N/A
Durham
a. Free Meals	16.5	12.4	18.7	13.6
b. Paid Meals	60.9	34.0	64.1	34.3
c. Packed Lunches	5.8	14.1	N/A	N/A