§ 39. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will review the mileage which children are required to walk to schools before public transport is provided.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Miss Alice Bacon)No, Sir. Under the existing law, local education authorities have adequate discretionary powers.
§ Mr. LewisIs the right hon. Lady aware that the local education authority says that the Minister refuses to provide grants for a mileage beyond two miles and that the closing of village schools, which is happening throughout the country, is becoming a major problem, and that, with the change of time which is to take place next year, it will be even worse for children in the winter?
§ Miss BaconThe hon. Gentleman is a little confused. There is no specific grant for this purpose. It comes out of the general grant to local authorities and the local education authority has the discretionary power.