§ 94. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Education if she is aware that the Durham County Education Committee recently advertised for two central kitchen super visors, one at Eldon and one at Bishop Auckland; that there is a feeling among men returned from the Services that preference is given to women applicants; and will she take action to remove this feeling and see that men fully qualified shall have equal opportunity to obtain some of these posts.
§ Mr. HardmanMy right hon. Friend has no information on the first and second parts of the Question beyond that accompanying the hon. Member's letter of 26th February Authorities are free to advertise vacancies for school meals staff without reference to my Department. With regard to the third part of the Question, the general experience of authorities is that, for this canteen service for children, the training and" experience normally offered by women applicants are more appropriate than those offered by men and my right hon. Friend would not be prepared to interfere with the discretion of the Durham County Authority on this point.