§ 36. Mr. Gowerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that in future the provision of school buses or other forms of school transport shall not be decided solely by reference to the distance between home and school of a particular pupil, in order to ensure the provision of school transport for short distances where dangerous road conditions obtain.
§ Mr. RedheadLocal education authorities are already free to provide transport for pupils who live within statutory walking distance when they consider that local circumstances justify it.
§ Mr. GowerDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that, to a large extent, local education authorities regard themselves as bound, or at least guided, by the Ministry circular which advised certain mileages for this purpose? Does not he agree that, whereas distance may be a good rough and ready guide in most cases, there are cases where it is a very poor guide?
§ Mr. RedheadThere is no excuse for any local authority being in doubt about the Department's advice. Last February local authorities were reminded of the need to review transport arrangements from time to time and, in particular, to ensure that account is taken of extra dangers arising from the increasing volume of traffic.