HC Deb 06 February 1979 vol 962 cc108-9W
18. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reports she has received from local authorities in London and elsewhere about the closure of schools during the recent strike action by members of the National Union of Public Employees including school caretakers and caterers.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

I refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. and learned Member for Runcorn (Mr. Carlisle) on 29 January and to the statement I made in the House in reply to the private notice question from the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Rossi) on the same day.—[Vol. 961, c.301-2; Vol. 961, c. 1030–36.] In a survey carried out by my Department on 5 February there were about 1,000 schools closed or partially closed because of industrial action. This means that about 96 per cent. of maintained schools in England were working normally.

36. Mr. Neubert

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her estimate of the number of schoolchildren who forfeited a day's education on 22 January as a result of the strike by the National Union of Public Employees.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to questions from the hon. and learned Member for Runcorn (Mr. Carlisle) on 29 January. In the 52 authorities sampled on 22 January, it is estimated that about 2 million children were unable to attend school.—[Vol. 961, c.301-2.]

45. Miss Fookes

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement about the impact of strikes by public service employees on school children and, in particular, the number of schools closed by such action.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes).

48. Mr. Whitney

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has made to minimise the effects of the disruption in schools throughout the United Kingdom issuing from industrial action such as that taken by the National Union of Public Employees on 22nd January 1979.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

My responsibility for schools does not extend beyond England and local education authorities are responsible for the day-to-day running of schools. I have encouraged local education authorities to keep their schools open wherever possible and I hope that where they cannot do so, local education authorities will take other steps to continue the education of children in their area.

For my part, I have had discussions with all the public services unions and with the teachers unions with a view to establishing a code of conduct where industrial action is to be taken that will affect schools. The public service unions have asked their members to give 48 hours' notice of any action proposed except that for action on Mondays notice will be given on the preceding Friday morning. The National Association of Head Teachers is today advising head teachers that if they do not receive at least 48 hours' notice of strike action they should ensure that the pupils are taken into the premises.