asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decrease has taken place in the number of meals provided for school children since the charge per meal was increased.

The decrease is about 16,800 meals, or under 6 per cent.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this decrease in the consumption of school meals is causing serious concern among local authorities in Scotland, and will she look into the matter, because it is felt that it is imposing hardship on school children?

I have already gone very closely into this, and I can say that the whole of this decrease cannot be attributed to the rise in the cost of living. At the present time, each meal is subsidised at the rate of 8½d. and when there is more than one child in the family. at more than 8½d.