§ 18 Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Education if he will now make available to county education authorities more money for school transport purposes in rural areas.
§ Sir E. BoyleNo, Sir. School transport is one of the purposes for which general grant is provided. Counties with a low density of population get a supplementary share of this grant.
§ Mr. HiltonSurely that is a very disappointing reply? I am well aware that the authorities are responsible for this, but is not the Minister aware that it is a very heavy drain on educational finances in rural counties? Is he aware that in Norfolk already we are spending nearly £250,000 a year on school transport and have to deny this transport 644 to many deserving cases? Will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter sympathetically? In any case, will he have a look at the qualifying distances which I believe were set some years ago?
§ Sir E. BoyleI will look at them, but I do not think there is a case for altering the qualifying distances. I hope the hon. Gentleman is aware that Norfolk is one of the authorities which receive a supplementary share for low density of population.