HC Deb 12 December 1978 vol 960 cc207-8
1. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision was made in the rate support grant settlement in so far as it related to education with regard to firm proposals to alter the basis of the provision of school transport; and if he will make a statement.

17. Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision was made in the rate support grant for a nationwide system of school transport based on universal single charges which would eradicate the anomalies and injustices of the present system.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Miss Margaret Jackson)

None, Sir. These issues are still under consideration.

Mr. Hicks

Does not the hon. Lady agree that poorer counties such as Cornwall tend to be the rural counties and that it is in those counties that the problems of school transport are greatest? If she will not help through the provision of additional rate support grants, when will she announce to the House her proposals for the reorganisation of school transport?

Miss Jackson

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman a date. Although I recognise that counties such as Cornwall have a particular problem, it can often be just as acute in inner cities, particularly where concessionary fares for school children have been withdrawn. It is a problem of family poverty, perhaps even more than local authority poverty.

Mr. Cryer

I know that my hon. Friend has done a lot of work on this subject. Can she indicate when she expects to implement the Local Authorities Management Services and Computer Committee report based on the four experimental areas? Does she accept that where a Tory-controlled local authority, such as Bradford, makes an arbitrary and harsh application of new rules concerning distance, it often causes great hardship and difficulty for parents? Does she agree that the implementation of a flat fare scheme would be much fairer and that that is something that should be considered for application as soon as possible?

Mr. Speaker

Order. Will the Minister please try to answer only one of the hon. Gentleman's three questions?

Miss Jackson

Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Speaker. We are considering the basis of the flat fare scheme, but I cannot give my hon. Friend a date because there are more complications than we had feared. We are very anxious to remove the present anomalies and to see that parents cease to suffer as they are at present.

Mr. Stoddart

Have we not now reached the situation where, nationally, there should be a free transport system for children going to school? After all, parents are required by law to send their children to school and it costs many of them very dearly.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman is making an argument in support of his question.

Mr. Stoddart

I am sorry, Mr. Speaker. Will my hon. Friend consider that aspect?

Miss Jackson

I am always willing to consider suggestions from my hon. Friend, but LEAs already spend £100 million a year on school transport even under the present system. I fear that a totally free system is beyond us at the moment.