HC Deb 16 November 1979 vol 973 c827W
Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, further to his written answer of 2 November, he will describe further the disruptive effect on final year courses, in view of the number of pupils likely to be involved.

Dr. Boyson

The question appears to assume that few pupils would be affected. I believe, on the contrary, that such a change in the law on school leaving would lead to increasing numbers of young people seeking offers of employment; and to disaffection among those forced to remain at school. If, during the fifth

£000
School meals School transport School milk
West Yorkshire—
Bradford 4,497 849 110
Calderdale 2,067 440 100
Kirklees 2,771 298 72
Leeds 5,918 1,299 174
Wakefield 2,789 523 129
Total 18,042 3,409 585
Greater Manchester—
Bolton 2,617 313 111
Bury 1,461 160 59
Manchester 5,531 1,072 116
Oldham 1,890 204 45
Rochdale 2,044 235 68
Salford 2,450 232 107
Stockport 2,312 349 106
Tameside 2,076 263 109
Trafford 2,232 295 64
Wigan 2,963 307 76
Total 25,576 3,430 861