HC Deb 30 March 1988 vol 130 c542W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much of the extra £220 million being spent on family credit is attributable to the cash compensation for the loss of free school meals.

Mr. Portillo

The net cost of including cash in the children's rates in place of free school meals and free welfare milk, after allowing for the cost of these items which would otherwise arise, is around £65 million. It is not possible to estimate a separate figure in respect of free school meals.