HC Deb 13 February 1973 vol 850 cc1125-7
14. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she has yet received the report of her departmental committee investigating problems associated with school transport; and if she will make a statement.

16. Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now make a statement on the findings of her Department's working party on the subject of school transport.

34. Mr. Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to receive the report of the working party on school transport; and if she will make a statement.

36. Sir Robin Turton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to receive the report of the working party on school transport.

Mrs. Thatcher

I do not expect to receive the report of the working party on school transport for some time. When I receive the report I shall consider its findings and make a statement.

Mr. Hicks

May I impress upon my right hon. Friend the urgency of this situation? Is she aware that in rural areas such as Cornwall there is a widespread feeling that the present stipulations are outdated in the context of the situation and present-day needs?

Mrs. Thatcher

I constantly draw the attention of the working party to what hon. Members say during Question Time. But I stress that the working party has a substantial task to review the present arrangements, including the existing law affecting the provision of school transport, and to report on changes which may be needed", and this will take some time. In the case of Cornwall the chief education officer is a member of the working party, so Cornwall's interests should be looked after properly.

Dr. Marshall

Will the right hon. Lady draw the attention of the working party to the need to amend Section 55(2) of the Education Act 1944 to require local education authorities to give financial assistance to special school buses which have been provided as a result of the efforts of parents and teachers, as is the case at Old Goole in my constituency?

Mrs. Thatcher

That is one of the provisions in the terms of reference of the working party.

Mr. Redmond

Will my right hon. Friend take it that this is not just a matter for rural areas but is a very serious and confusing problem in close-knit boroughs such as Bolton? Has my right hon. Friend seen the reply sent to me by her noble Friend the Under-Secretary concerning a letter which I received from a constituent whose son had had his bus fare "pinched" in the school changing room? Was not the reply merely passing the buck to the local authority?

Mrs. Thatcher

I also know about the needs of places such as Bolton. But I draw my hon. Friend's attention to the fact that the assistant chief education officer for Lancashire is also on the working party.

Mr. Maclennan

Does the right hon. Lady agree that with the closure of rural schools many young children, especially primary schoolchildren, may have to travel very much greater distances to school than they did in the past? Prior to receiving the report which the right hon. Lady awaits, will she bear in mind that it is very important too that the buses in which the children travel should be modern and comfortable? What instructions or advice is the right hon. Lady issuing on this point to local authorities?

Mrs. Thatcher

None on that point. However, all these matters are properly within the terms of reference of the working party. Children who travel longer distances are likely to have their fares paid because those are covered. It is some of the shorter distances which can be along dangerous roads that cause the problem.

Mr. Grylls

Is Surrey's education officer on the working party? If not, why not? On a more serious note, may I ask my right hon. Friend to consider cases in which transport is not provided but children have to cross busy roads which often lead to motorways, causing great danger? Does she agree that this is a matter which the working party should look into?

Mrs. Thatcher

I am afraid that I cannot please my hon. Friend as well. Surrey's education officer is not a member of the working party. What is more, looking through the list of representatives on it, I cannot even get anywhere near Surrey.