§ Mrs BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress is being made towards giving every child aged four to six a free piece of fruit each school day; [152803]
(2) what discussions he has had with other departments and local education authorities in England to promote the National School Fruit Scheme; [152804]
(3) how many local education authorities in England are participating in the National School Fruit Scheme. [152805]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonOver a million children aged four to six are already receiving a free piece of fruit every school day. 96 per cent., of local education authority (LEA) infant, primary and special schools with children aged four to six in four regions— the West and East Midlands, London and the North West– have joined the scheme. By the end of 2004, children in all such LEA schools in England will be entitled to receive free fruit — over 2.2 million children.
The Department of Health has worked with the Department for Education and Skills and other Government Departments, including the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to develop the scheme. National School Fruit Scheme regional and area co-ordinators have been working with LEAs in each region in which the scheme has been rolled out.
Eighty Seven LEAs are participating on the scheme.