§ 16. Mr. Terry Davisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance she has given to local education authorities about the provision of school transport pending the report of the special working party.
§ Mrs. ThatcherNone, Sir. The local education authorities are well aware of their duties and powers in relation to school transport.
§ Mr. DavisIs the right hon. Lady aware that Worcestershire County Council has discontinued a school bus previously provided in Bromsgrove under its discretionary powers? Does she agree that local education authorities should try not to make matters worse while we are awaiting the report of the working party on school transport?
§ Mrs. ThatcherThat is a matter between the hon. Gentleman and his local education authority. I am sure that he makes very powerful representations. As he has pointed out, local education authorities have discretion, and I must not interfere in the way in which they exercise it.