§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he provides to(a) head teachers, (b) school governors and (c) local education authorities on choosing the suppliers of ingredients for school dinners. [152768]
§ Jacqui SmithMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not provide guidance on choosing suppliers of school meal ingredients. It is for local education authorities and schools in England to obtain supplies or contract for meals provision in line with relevant legislation. They have a general duty to ensure the health and safety of pupils.
From 1 April this year, local education authorities and schools in England will have to meet compulsory minimum nutritional standards for school lunches. The new standards will ensure that a nutritionally balanced
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Constituency Full-time education and training Voluntary sector Environment task force Aberdeen, Central 78 54 32 Aberdeen, North 50 19 24 Aberdeen, South 52 16 16 Airdrie and Shotts 151 87 165 Angus 122 108 117 Argyll and Bute 63 39 108 Ayr 131 134 98 Banff and Buchan 71 32 10 Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross 108 31 70 Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley 157 157 148 Central Fife 275 67 165 Clydebank and Milngavie 185 52 112 Clydesdale 229 92 101 Coatbridge and Chryston 95 50 142 Cumbernauld and Kilsyth 176 45 33 Cunninghame, North 139 134 52 lunch must be available to pupils every day. Our guidance for caterers on the standards offers advice, for example, on menu planning, suitable ingredients, and healthy cooking methods.