HC Deb 06 December 1995 vol 268 cc303-4W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average cost of school meals in each local education authority in England and Wales. [3707]

Mrs. Gillan

Information on the cost of school meals in schools in England has not been collected centrally since 1993.

The cost of school meals in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average cost of school meals in England has been for each year since 1978. [3706]

Mrs. Gillan

Information on local authorities' charging arrangements, which was collected centrally between January 1990 and 1993, is shown in the table:

School meals charging arrangements1 in maintained schools in England 1990–1993
Position as at January each year
Pence per day Primary Pence per day secondary
Year Fixed2 charge Authorised3 Spend Fixed2charge Authorised3 Spend
1990 62 63 65 74
1991 73 75 78 82
1992 83 88 89 94
1993 92 92 96 103
11993 data collected from maintained schools. Data for earlier years collected from local education authorities.
2The fixed charge is the charge for a standard meal in schools operating dining centres.
3The authorised spend is the amount allowed for each pupil receiving a free meal in schools operating a cash cafeteria service.