HC Deb 24 July 1973 vol 860 c1397
20. Dr. Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many meetings have been held by the Working Party on School Transport.

Mrs. Thatcher

Fifteen.

Dr. Marshall

Does the right hon. Lady agree that the working party, which was set up on 7th March 1972, is taking too long over a most urgent problem for my constituents—those who live in old Goole, Knottingley, Ferrybridge and Darrington? Will she specify dates by which the working party should make its final report to her?

Mrs. Thatcher

The working party has three more meetings arranged and I hope that the report will be available by the end of the year.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there is considerable urgency in this matter? I have been pressing her for over 18 months to come to a conclusion about changing the existing system. By the end of the year for the working party's report is too late. Cannot she hurry on the working party and give the House her conclusions when we come back after the Summer Recess? The matter is urgent.

Mrs. Thatcher

There will be more meetings before the House returns. I have been squeezed between both sides of the House, if I might put it that way. I shall convey the views of both sides of the House to the chairman of the working party.