asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of (a) primary and (b) secondary pupils who take school meals; and how many of each total receive free school meals.

At the most recent school meals census 307,000 primary—including nursery—and 123,000 secondary pupils took school meals. A total of 143,000 pupils received free meals but information on the breakdown of this figure between primary and secondary pupils is not available to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total subsidy given to the school meals service.

In 1979–80, £39·3 million at 1979 survey prices—estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of staff employed in the school meals service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many kitchen and canteen staff supervisors and others are employed in the school meals service in Scotland.

Approximately 17,000.