asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the effects of the road haulage strike on the school meals service.

Although authorities are experiencing shortages in some food stuffs, it appears from informal inquiries that my Department has been making that they are in general able to provide a school meals service, although there have been some temporary suspensions. There are indications that as a result of the code of practice which has been issued by the Transport and General Workers' Union to its members, supplies of food reaching school kitchens are improving. Meanwhile, I wish to pay tribute to the workers in school kitchens and local authority supplies departments which are doing their best to maintain a service despite present difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in England and Wales were closed on Monday 22 January as a result of industrial action.

My Department made inquiries of 52 local education authorities on 22 January to find out how many schools were closed. In 25 of the 52 authorities most schools were closed. It is reasonable to deduce that nearly half the schools in England were closed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is fully satisfied that she can continue to discharge her duty under the Education Act 1944 to promote the education of the people of England and Wales in the current industrial situation.

Yes. Whilst I regret that a number of schools were closed on 22 January as a result of industrial action by public service workers, I am glad to report that a survey carried out by my Department two days later showed that over 95 per cent. of schools were working normally.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children received school meals on Monday 22 January.

This information is not available to my Department.