To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many and what percentage of children took school meals in 1989; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is the number and percentage of free school meals provided; and if he will make a statement.

In September 1988, the latest year for which information is available, the number and percentage of pupils provided with school meals in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in Wales were as follows:

	Pupils
Number of pupils provided with free school meals	59,802
as a percentage of all pupils on roll	14·6
Total number of pupils taking school meals	213,341
as a percentage of all pupils on roll	52·0

Local education authorities are empowered to provide at their discretion refreshment and facilities for the consumption of refreshments in the middle of the day for pupils in schools maintained by them. The Social Security Act 1986 requires that pupils whose parents are or who themselves are in receipt of income support should receive such provision free of charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average price of a school meal; and if he will make a statement.

The average price of school meals in primary schools in September 1989 was 68p. It is not possible to give a figure for secondary schools as most operate a cash cafeteria system.