HC Deb 23 November 1970 vol 807 cc9-10
10. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in view of recent fare increases which now impose hardship on families living just within the statutory distance from their children's schools, he will legislate to reduce this statutory distance to half a mile.

Mr. Peter Thomas

No, Sir. Local—

Several Hon. Members

rose

Mr. Speaker

Order. No hon. Member has a prescriptive right to ask a supplementary question.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Local education authorities already have adequate discretionary powers to provide transport for pupils living within the statutory walking distance.

Sir A. Meyer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that since it seems to be the policy of this nationalised monopoly to place the heaviest burdens on those who can least bear them, something must be done about this? Is he further aware that some families pay up to 14s. for each child which they send to school if they live within the two-mile limit?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I am aware of these difficulties, but when people live nearer school than the statutory distance local education authorities have powers to provide free transport and may exercise those powers in special circumstances.

Mr. Alec Jones

Will the Minister take some advice from local education authorities in Wales on this matter? Their views do not seem to be borne out by what the right hon. Gentleman has just said. Will he not call a conference of local education authorities in Wales in order to examine this pressing problem? Unless something is done some of our people will shortly be unable to afford to send their children to school in order to benefit from the free education service.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I shall be meeting representatives of all local education authorities shortly, and I shall be pleased to discuss this matter with them.