HC Deb 20 June 1978 vol 952 cc194-6
7. Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to publish her Department's revised proposals for school transport.

17. Mr. John Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to bring forward her revised proposals for school transport.

Miss Margaret Jackson

My right hon. Friend will publish fresh proposals as soon as possible.

Mr. Newens

Is my hon. Friend aware that the cost of fares to travel to school for schoolchildren imposes a very heavy burden on many parents and guardians, particularly when added to the other expenses of attending school? In these circumstances, is there not a very urgent case for introducing proposals to restore half fares for all schoolchildren who need to use transport to attend school?

Miss Jaskson

I am well aware that this cost is often a heavy burden on many parents. I am afraid that the question of half fares is one not for me but for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

Mr. Evans

Will my hon. Friend accept that too many local authorities rigidly apply the three-mile limit and that they could use a degree of moderation in this respect? Will she reconsider impressing upon the Secretary of State for Transport that all children who require school transport should have either free transport or at least an agreed concessionary fare, because I can assure her that this causes bitter disputes among the parents of children attending the same school?

Miss Jackson

I accept that entirely, and it is our hope that the proposals which we shall put before the House will contain the basis of a scheme which will enable all children to travel to school for a reasonable sum, and perhaps even for the same sum. I also agree with my hon. Friend that it is within the power of local authorities at present to give assistance to parents but that many of them choose not to exercise those powers at the moment.

Mr. Marten

The hon. Lady said "as soon as possible". Can she be a little more explicit and definite about the time scale of this proposal?

Miss Jackson

I hope to lay these proposals before the House before the Summer Recess.

Mr. MacFarquhar

I welcome my hon. Friend's announcement, but does she not accept that any introduction of a new system which penalised parents who at present get free transport would be un- desirable? Therefore, will she agree to consider introducing a phased system so that no parent will have to pay more in fares after the scheme is introduced?

Miss Jackson

This is one of the difficult matters that we are considering. We are anxious to find a low-cost solution which minimises the loss of benefit to those who are getting free transport at present. But, as my hon. Friend will recollect, it is the burden of protest from those at present getting free transport as well as the concern of local authorities which has made it difficult to introduce a solution so far. However, we hope that those at present enjoying free transport for their children will recognise the problems faced by others.

Mr. Beith

When the Minister referred just now to the possibility of all children paying the same or a similar fare, did she have it in mind that it would be quite unjust to expect parents whose children use school transport only because their local village schools have been closed to pay to send their children to schools in other villages?

Miss Jackson

Where free transport is being provided in circumstances like that, it introduces an additional difficult factor. However, we are concerned to establish a fair system for the country as a whole.

Miss Maynard

Does my hon. Friend agree that children in rural areas under the three-mile limit would find it dangerous to walk to school and that the cost to which one of my hon. Friends referred falls particularly heavily on low-paid workers in rural areas? Is there not an allocation in the rate support grant for school transport, and is my hon. Friend prepared to do anything about seeing that rural authorities apply that allocation to school transport?

Miss Jackson

As my hon. Friend knows, we have no power to direct local authorities about how to use their rate support grant. That is a matter for them. I take her point about the circumstances of travel to school for children in rural areas. It is one of the unfortunate features of the present system that authorities do not have to consider factors such as danger or suitability of available transport. These are matters which we hope to consider.