§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the results of the annual census of school meals in Scotland held in January; and what were the corresponding 1989 results.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe information is set out in the table. Despite a decrease in the number of pupils present on census day, the number of pupils taking school meals has risen. This reaffirms the Government view that428W changes in entitlement to free meals would not affect the overall uptake of meals. Free meals formed 30 per cent. of the total meals provided and the number taking their own food increased by just over 1 per cent. Cafeteria-style meals remain popular and their uptake has risen from 64 per cent. to 69 per cent. of all meals taken: there was a corresponding 5 per cent. drop in the uptake of the traditional two-course fixed meal.
Education Authority Schools (Including Nursery and Special Schools) 1990 1989 Number As a percentage of pupils present Number As a percentage of pupils present Pupils present on census day 704,357 — 713,034 — Pupils taking school meals —on payment 230,410 32.7 223,456 31.3 —free 99,303 14.1 105,232 14.8 —total 329,713 46.8 328,688 46.1 Pupils bringing own food on school premises 110,290 15.7 104,266 14.6 A detailed statement of the returns from education authorities from which these national figures are derived is being placed in the Library.
The following table shows, as a percentage of pupils attending their respective sectors, those primary and secondary pupils taking meals or bringing their own food.
1990 (per cent.) 1989 (per cent.) Primary Pupils taking school meals 52.7 51.5 Pupils bringing own food 23.7 22.2 Secondary Pupils taking school meals 42.2 42.1 Pupils bringing own food 5.4 5.3 All authorities provide the traditional two-course meals and cafeteria-style meals, with the latter accounting for 69–1 per cent. of all meals served in 1990.
The figures are as follows:
Pupils taking fixed meals Pupils taking cafeteria meals 1989 Paid 74,345 149,111 Free 44,327 60,905 Total 118,672 210,016 Percentage of pupils present 16.6 29.5 1990 Paid 71,819 158,591 Free 30,019 69,284 Total 101,838 227,875 Percentage of pupils present 14.5 32.4