To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what proportion of companies contracted by local authorities to provide catering services (a) lost money, (b) broke even and (c) made a profit in (i) 2003-04, (ii) 2005-06 and (iii) 2006-07; what estimate he has made of the number in each category in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement; (152131)

The Department does not collect information on the financial position of caterers or on the average school meal selling price. However, a recent survey from the Local Authority Caterers Association provided information on 2006/07 trading outturn forecasts for LA caterers which indicated that 9 per cent. would have a surplus, 26 per cent. would break even and 65 per cent. faced a deficit. The same survey reported on average school meal selling prices in primary schools, where the data shows an increase of 20 per cent. (from 1.37 to 1.64) between 2003/04 and 2006/07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many staff have been employed in the school meals service in each year since 1985-86. (152134)

The information requested is not collected centrally.