§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children in Grampian region will lose entitlement to free school meals and free welfare milk after the Social Security Act 1986 is fully implemented in April 1988; how many of these children attend schools for those with special educational needs; and when he anticipates meeting representatives of Grampian regional council to discuss the implications of the implementation of the Act.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe children's rates of family credit will take account of the cost of school meals and, overall, I expect that more pupils will be assisted under the new arrangements than qualify under family income supplement now. I understand that Grampian regional council has estimated that about 1,700 children from families in receipt of family income supplement who currently qualify for free school meals will lose that entitlement. Information on the type of school these38W children attend and in relation to the numbers of children in receipt of free welfare milk is not held centrally. My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to meet with representatives of Grampian regional council regarding this matter.