asked the Minister of Education what is the accident rate among, women engaged in the school meals service; and what investigations are being carried out with a view to lessening the number of accidents.

It is the responsibility of local education authorities to give due attention to the incidence and causes of accidents among their employees, including those engaged in the school meals service. My right hon. Friend has no general information about the accident rate in this service and has received no evidence to suggest that a special investigation is called for.