Mr. Jim Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the expenditure in England and Wales in 1982–83 on school meals, school milk and school transport, respectively; and what estimates he has made for rate support grant purposes of the similar expenditure on a constant price basis for 1984–85 and 1985–86.
§ Mr. DunnProvisional net recurrent expenditure in 1982–83 by local education authorities in England on school meals and milk was £411 million; and on transport from home to institution was £184 million. Separate returns of expenditure on school meals and milk are not collected.
The Government's plans for local authority recurrent expenditure in 1984–85, which are presented in cash, allow for expenditure of £263 million on school meals and milk and £200 million on transport from home to institution. These figures take no account of the additional allocation of £660 million not allocated between services, some of which may well be spent on school meals and milk, and other areas of education provision.
The Government's plans for local authority recurrent expenditure in 1985–86 will be announced shortly. The figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.