HC Deb 01 July 1965 vol 715 cc791-2
1. Mr. McBride

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to amend the provisions of Section 39(5) of the Education Act, 1944, in order to facilitate the attendance of children at school, by defining the statutory walking distances as two miles for all children, the starting point of their journey to be deemed as their home; if he will consider the financial burden borne by parents with several children, over eight years of age, at school; if he will seek powers enabling him to reimburse local authorities for the extra financial costs; and if he will make a statement.

49. Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will review the present regulations which apply to walking distances for school children before transport facilities can be provided with a view to introducing modifications which may be necessary in the light of intensive traffic conditions or circumstances involving danger; and if he will seek to give local education authorities greater power to provide transport for very young children.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Denis Howell)

No, Sir. The present arrangements give local education authorities power to make special provision if they consider that it is justified by local conditions or individual hardship. Their expenditure in doing so forms part of the total education expenditure taken into account for general grant.

Mr. McBride

Will my hon. Friend consider the financial hardship for parents who have several children more than eight years of age? Will he consider the possibility of reimbursing local authorities for any financial expenditure incurred in this respect?

Mr. Howell

As I have said, this is a consideration in the making up of the general grant and it is entirely within the discretion of the local authority and is certainly a matter with which the local authority should deal. On 12th February we wrote to all local authorities reminding them that they should review their arrangements from time to time.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in rural areas, particularly in the winter months, children are often wet by the time they get to school and that it is in the rural areas where local authorities are often less wealthy and where they would be very glad of any financial assistance which could be made available to them in this connection?

Mr. Howell

That is another matter and I will look at it if the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question.