§ Lord Faulkner of Worcesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will fund the cost of training, testing and supply cover for teachers who need to be trained to drive school minibuses in order to ensure that they are trained to a sufficiently high standard to transport school children safely. [HL4986]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)Local education authorities and schools may already use their general funds for training teachers to drive school minibuses. The Government have no plans to provide earmarked funding specifically for such purposes. We are seeking to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective minibus driver training schemes that would help ensure the continued safe transport of pupils by school staff on educational visits.