A stew in Parliament over school dinners ended with Castle Point MP Bob Spink and others being offered seconds - if they were not satisfied.
The row blew up last December over Essex County Council axeing arrangements for primary school dinners and leaving them to the schools themselves.
Although Mr Spink felt it may be the right move, he said there had been no consultation. He accused the Government of shifting money from the county to Labour councils further north.
This week Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Education and Skills Stephen Twigg said: "We are clear Essex is legally entitled to do what it plans to do, but we do not pretend that is an ideal situation, particularly with regard to the timing.
"Schools in Essex have had very short notice of the LEA's decision, and have therefore had to devote a significant amount of time and effort to considering alternatives."
He said the Government would monitor the situation.
Published Thursday March 4, 2004
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