HC Deb 02 February 2004 vol 417 c669W
Mr. Hurst

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in Essex were provided by the county council with school meals in each year from 1990 to 2003. [150909]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

The information requested is not available centrally.

The Department collects information on free school meals as part of the annual schools' Census, but not the total number of all (that is, free and paid for) school meals.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had on introducing charitable status for the provision of(a) school meals and (b) school trips. [151275]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

My Department has not had any discussions about introducing charitable status for the provision of school meals or school trips.