§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the results of the annual census of school meals in Scotland held in January 1991; and what were the corresponding 1990 results.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe information is set out in the table. The number of pupils taking school meals has continued to increase, despite a fall in the number of pupils present on census day. Almost half the pupils present on census day took school meals with an estimated 17 per cent. bringing their own food to school. Free meals formed 31 per cent. of the total meals provided. Cafeteria style 421W meals remain more popular than two course fixed meals although the uptake dropped slightly from 69 per cent. to 67 per cent. of the meals taken.
Education authority schools (including nursery and special schools) 1991 1990 Number As percentage of pupils present Number As percentage of pupils present Pupils present on census day 698,554 704,357 Pupils taking school meals —on payment 230,378 33.0 230,410 32.7 —free 101,915 14.6 99,303 14.1 —total 332,293 47.6 329,713 46.8 Pupils bringing own food on school premises1 106,110 16.9 100,469 16.0 1 Excluding Grampian. 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.
1991 1990 Paid Free Total Percentage of pupils present Paid Free Total Percentage of pupils present Pupils taking fixed meals 76,252 33,849 110,101 15.8 71,819 30,019 101,838 14.5 Pupils taking cafeteria meals 154,126 68,066 222,192 31.8 158,591 69,284 227,875 32.4