To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent by Derbyshire county council local education authority on subsidising school meals in each of the last 10 years. [79618]

The following table shows the difference between expenditure and income for all school catering services from 1990–91 to 1997–98. Comparable figures are not available before that date. From the financial year 1997–98, Derbyshire was reorganised into two local authorities, Derby and Derbyshire: figures for both are shown. Expenditure on, and income from, the school meal service will vary from year to year according to—among other factors—the proportion of children taking up an entitlement to free school meals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the (a) total expenditure on, and (b) income from the local education authorities' school catering services in (i) Derbyshire, (ii) Nottinghamshire, (iii) Staffordshire, (iv) Surrey and (v) Hertfordshire in (1) 1994–95, (2) 1995–96, (3) 1996–97 and (4) 1997–98. [79619]

The following table shows total gross expenditure and total income for school catering from 1994–95 to 1997–98. Expenditure and income for the school meal service will vary according to the proportion of children entitled to free school meals.