§ Mr. Wrayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what instructions he will give to the proper authorities so that they closely check that, after the abolition of meal facilities for school children at school, the nutritional needs of such children do not suffer;
(2) what steps he will take to ensure that, after the abolition of meal facilities for school children at their schools, such children will be able to choose the kind of food which contains the nutritional values they require for their good health and development;
(3) what steps he has taken to ensure that the compensation given after the meal facilities for school children are abolished will cover the needs for adequate nutrition of the children.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythIt is not the Government's intention to abolish school meal facilities. From 1 April 1988 the children's rates of family credit will take account of the cost of school meals and it is estimated that more pupils will be assisted with the cost of school meals than qualify under family income supplement and discretionary schemes now. These changes will not constrain the freedom of education authorities to decide the form and nutritional content of school meals.