§ Dame Patricia Hornsby-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she proposes to take to obtain priority for allocations of fuel to schools in order that children can pursue their education in the normal way.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe local education authorities concerned are doing their utmost to provide alternative heating. Supplies of fuel are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, with whom I have been in touch.
§ Dame Patricia Hornsby-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children are being 427W denied their normal education as a result of their schools being closed owing to lack of fuel.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeIt has not been possible to obtain full and accurate information from every local education authority involved. Individual authorities with which the Department has been in contact are doing everything possible to provide alternative forms of heating. Schools that are closed will be reopened as soon as the supply of oil is resumed.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she is taking to ensure that emergency heating arrangements are being made in those schools at present wholly or partly closed due to the strike of oil delivery men.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeLocal education authorities are doing their utmost to provide alternative heating where this is practicable.
§ Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in London are now closed; and for what reasons.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI understand from the Inner London Education Authority that 78 of its schools, including 10 schools for handicapped pupils, are wholly or partly closed. This is because of the lack of oil for heating as a result of the strike of some tanker drivers.