HC Deb 02 February 1981 vol 998 cc63-4W
Mr. Bob Dunn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report details of those services and functions carried out by local education authorities in Scotland which (a) have been eliminated and (b) have been made discretionary since 3 May 1979.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

None of the statutory services or functions of education authorities in Scotland has been eliminated since 3 May 1979, but the Education Act 1980 provided that the following services should no longer be a duty but should be discretionary:

  1. (a) the provision of school meals (other than those provided free to children whose families are in receipt of supplementary benefit of family income supplement); and
  2. (b) the provision of school education in nursery schools and classes.

Mr. Bob Dunn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report details of those services and functions carried out by local government in Scotland which (a) have been eliminated and (b) have been made discretionary since 3 May 1979.

Mr. Rifkind

On education matters, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to his related question. For the rest, no significant functions have been eliminated since May 1979 but the Government's policy in regard to the relaxation of controls over local authorities and increase in their discretion is reflected in the provisions of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, and in the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill now before the House.