§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that all local education authorities provide state school primary aged children with the choice of a hot school meal, with particular reference to the implementation of the Education (Nutritional Standards for School Lunches) (England) Regulations 2000. [132716]
§ Jacqui SmithWe do not have the statutory power to require local education authorities and schools to provide hot meals for maintained primary pupils. This is because cold food that is provided in line with our new nutritional standards can be just as nutritious as hot food. We shall nevertheless make clear, in our forthcoming complementary guidance to school caterers, the importance of making hot meals available, especially during the winter months.