§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the cost of free school meals for 1970, 1979, 1984 and 1988.
§ Mr. ButcherInformation is not available centrally in the form requested. The table provides estimates calculated on the basis of data collected about the school meals service on one day in each of the relevant years. More detailed statistics are included in the report on school meals statistics at October 1987, published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and available in the Library. Information for 1988 is not yet available.
Estimated Cost of Providing Free School Meals to Pupils Cash £ million 1984–85 Real terms £ million 1970–71 18 86 1979–80 114 174 1984–85 215 215
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has issued, or intends to issue, guidelines concerning the manner and extent of price rises for school meals by local education authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherMy right hon. Friend has no plans to issue guidance to local education authorities on the pricing of school meals. This is a matter for decision by each authority in the light of local needs and circumstances.