Written question asked by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 November 2002. It was answered by Stephen Twigg (Labour) on Monday, 4 November 2002 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what measures he is taking to promote free milk in schools for children aged up to 11; and if he will list education authorities in the UK which provide free school milk for those aged up to (a) seven and (b) 11 years. - Includes figures and fact that this Department does not collect statistics on school milk provision.

Answer: Mr. Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he is taking to promote free milk in schools for children aged up to 11; and if he will list education authorities in the UK which provide free school milk for those aged up to (a) seven and (b) 11 years. [79224] Mr. Stephen Twigg:: The Department supports the provision of free and paid for milk in schools and encourages schools and LEAs to offer it to pupils. Following a 20 percent reduction of the EU subsidy on school milk from January 2001, this Department jointly agreed with the Department of Health and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to top up the 1.5m shortfall. This helped to prevent possible increased costs of school milk provision. This Department does not collect statistics on school milk provision.

Secondary information