asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children were taking school meals on the last date for which figures are available; and what was the figure 12 months earlier.

The figures are, 350,399 in September, 1971, and 374,995 a year earlier.

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that this is a shocking state of affairs? Is he aware that, in some borderline cases, children who are not entitled to free meals are at the same time being denied free milk? Would he not agree that the Government have a case to answer and that they are doing a tremendous damage to the children of this country?

No, I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's comments. The drop has been only 4 per cent. over the 12 months I mentioned. With the greatly improved arrangements, the increase in free meals has been very substantial.

Could the hon. Gentleman translate that 4 per cent. into numbers, which are very important?

I gave the numbers in my original answer.