asked the Prime Minister what was the estimated cost for the United Kingdom as a whole in 1985–86 of school meals provided free of charge, for (a) pupils and (b) staff.

The estimated cost of school meals provided free of charge in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is as follows:

£million
To pupils	57
To adults	7

It was not practicable to hold a school meals census in October 1985 in England in view of the disruption to the service caused by the teachers' dispute. The Department therefore does not have the information to calculate the proportions of school meals expenditure attributable to free meals for pupils and staff.