asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest figure for the reduction in the number of those taking free school meals in London since the introduction of the increased price by this Government.

There has in fact been an increase of 7,365 in the number taking free school meals in London. On a day in October, 1971, 65,190 pupils in maintained schools in the Inner London Education Authority area received free school meals compared with 57,825 in September, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of school children receiving free school meals in Oldham; and how this compares with the figure for a year ago.

3,425 compared with 2,479 a year ago.