§ 31. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Minister of Education if she will encourage the Staffordshire County education authority to maintain the bus services for the children to their schools from the villages of Harriseahead, Mow Cop, Baddeley Green and Tean in the Leek constituency; and what instructions she has given to the education authority about these services.
§ Miss HorsbrughAs the hon. Member is aware, I do not in present circumstances consider it justifiable, generally speaking, that children who live within statutory walking distance from school should be conveyed there free of charge. I recognise, however, that there are circumstances in which exceptions should be made and I am raising no objection to the Staffordshire local education authority's proposal to reinstate the former transport facilities in the Mow Cop—Harriseahead and Baddeley Edge districts. The same considerations do not apply in the Tean district.
§ Mr. DaviesWhile thanking the right hon. Lady for that reply, may I ask whether the same considerations apply to the Biddulph Moor district? Is she aware that this is an exceptionally beautiful part of North Staffordshire? If she would like to hack her way through the country lanes there she would realise that the children cannot walk these distances. I should be delighted to invite her to dinner, if she would come along.
§ Miss HorsbrughI do not know whether I should be in order in accepting the hon. Gentleman's invitation, but I can at least inform him that where there are exceptional difficulties free transport is allowed; but each case has to be examined on its merits.