§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of school leavers who have been classified as (a) illiterate and (b) innumerate in the Houghton and Washington constituency since 1979.
Maintained schools (including nursery and special): England 1983 1982 Numbers As percentage of pupils in attendance Numbers As percentage of pupils in attendance Pupils in attendance 6,770,975 — 6,939,140 — Pupils taking school meals: Total 3,481,837 51.4 3,428,380 49.4 On payment 2,406,955 35.5 2,464,250 35.5 Free 1,074,882 15.9 964,130 13.9 Pupils bringing own food 1,909,718 28.2 1,961,060 28.3 An analysis of the returns shows the following proportions for primary and secondary pupils, as percentages of pupils in attendance.
Primary Secondary 1983 1982 1983 1982 Pupils taking school meals 54.2 51.8 47.8 46.1 Pupils bringing own food 34.4 34.2 22.5 22.8 A detailed tabulation of the returns from local education authorities from which these national figures are taken is being placed in the Library.
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