§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many pupils took school meals in each education authority in Wales in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982; how many had free meals in each instance; and what information he has as to what criterion each authority adopts for eligibility for free meals.
§ Mr. John Stradling ThomasThe information requested is shown in the following table. Information on criteria for eligibility for free meals is not included in the returns which local education authorities are required to make, but I understand that in addition to the provision made for pupils eligible under the Education Act 1980, six of the eight local education authorities in Wales give consideration to special cases or categories.
409W
* Includes nursery, primary, secondary and special schools. † Pupils taking school meals on a specified day in the autumn term each year. From 1980 onwards the figures incorporate estimates of the number of meals taken at cash cafeteria. In schools offering a cafeteria service cash receipts recorded on census day are converted into an estimate of the number of meals taken by applying an average price per meal.