HC Deb 17 May 1978 vol 950 cc450-1
8. Mr. Adam Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to make a statement on revised proposals for school transport; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. McElhone

My right hon. Friend has no such proposals in view.

Mr. Hunter

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the LAMSAC Report, prepared for the Department of Education and Science, places a great deal of emphasis on fare paying by children travelling to school? Does he realise that if this comes to Scotland and local authorities accept such a proposal, there will be great opposition from parents in Scotland and hon. Members in this House? If this is a matter that comes up, will my hon. Friend use his powers to ensure that local authorities are discouraged from introducing such schemes, which in some cases will result in the means-testing of parents?

Mr. McElhone

With respect to my hon. Friend, I can do no more than repeat my original answer. My right hon. Friend has no such proposals in view.

Mr. Russell Johnston

Has the Minister given any consideration to the possibility of giving regional authorities more discretion in regard to the mileage rule so that, if they feel it appropriate that they should provide school buses, for whatever reason, they may do so?

Mr. McElhone

Local authorities already have discretion to change the patterns from the statutory limit of two miles for schoolchildren under eight years old and three miles for those over eight years old. I quote Strathclyde as an example. It sets a standard of one mile for those under 12 years of age and two miles for those over 12. The discretion rests with the regional authorities.

Mr. Fairbairn

With regard to the undesirability of means-testing parents to discover whether their children are eligible for school transport, why is it objectionable to means-test parents for that purpose but not objectionable if the parents want a divorce?

Mr. McElhone

I am afraid that the hon. and learned Member has gone astray again. As I understand it, there is no proposal to conduct a means test for this system of helping people with transport.