§ Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the implications for local authorities' manpower requirements of the provisions of the Education Act 1980.
Mr. Mark CalisleThe provisions of the Education Act 1980 relating to school government and admission to schools may involve the employment of extra staff by local authorities, the number depending on the extent to which present practice is in line with the new arrangements. The ultimate effects of the school meals and milk provisions on local authorities' manpower requirements will depend upon the way in which authorities run these services under the new provisions. There has already been a significant reduction in the number of kitchen and canteen staff employed, and the demands on clerical staff time have been reduced.