§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance he has issued about the length of the school day; and if he will take steps to ensure that local authorities do not introduce an 8 am to 2.30 pm continental school day for schools.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. and learned Friend has issued no guidance to local education authorities about the length of the school day. He has no power to prevent an authority adopting a " continental " school day system provided it meets the requirements of the schools regulations 1959 and the provision of milk and meals regulations 1969. Any authority contemplating such a change will need to consider carefully the wider social effects as well as any savings in expenditure it might make.