To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of students in (a) the City of Sunderland and (b) the North East Region are eligible to receive free school meals. (175222)

Figures from the school census 2007 show that the proportion of students known to be eligible to receive free school meals in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in Sunderland is 16.9 per cent., compared to 18.1 per cent. in the North East region. These figures include dually registered and boarding pupils.