HC Deb 12 July 1972 vol 840 cc1562-3
12. Mr. Adam Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further guidance he has issued to local education authorities in Scotland concerning the exercise of their powers to issue bus travel passes to schoolchildren, in view of the imminent increase in the school leaving age.

Mr. Monro

Raising the school leaving age does not affect the duty of authorities to provide free travel for pupils who live beyond the statutory walking distance and they already have discretion to provide such other free or assisted travel as they consider necessary. I do not consider further guidance is needed.

Mr. Hunter

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that raising the school leaving age to 16 means that parents have an added financial burden in having their children educated and that the whole question of school transfer should be reviewed? Is he aware that many parents whose children have been transferred to the new comprehensive school at Inverkeithing are now making a financial contribution towards their children's education, whereas those who live two miles away from the school are not? Is not this tantamount to a surcharge, an added cost, for receiving education?

Mr. Monro

I cannot accept all that the hon. Gentleman says. I have written to him about Inverkeithing. I appreciate that anomalies arise when new schools are opened, but I have had very few representations about school transport and I do not feel there is sufficient demand to call for a special inquiry.

Mr. Ewing

On the question of the statutory walking distance, will the Minister accept that most education authorities merely measure the distance and if it is not over two miles they do not give free or concessionary travel? Is it not time they were directed to take into consideration the traffic conditions on the route to school and give a greater emphasis to that than to the statutory walking distance?

Mr. Monro

I am sure that all education authorities give special consideration to the special circumstances of the areas they represent. It would be wrong for my right hon. Friend to give them a direction in that regard. I am sure that they consider the matter very carefully.