§ 8. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received concerning the provision of free school transport.
§ Mr. DunnRepresentations are regularly received from hon. Members and parents about free school transport. These typically take the form of complaints that a local education authority has withdrawn free transport, or does not provide it, in particular cases. In addition, a number of hon. Members, local authorities and parents have argued that the Government should seek to change the law.
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonDoes my hon. Friend recall the representations that I made on behalf of my constituents in Theydon Bois, who resent the fact that pupils just outside a 3-mile limit do not have free transport while those inside the limit do? Despite the early difficulties, will he consider recommending to local education authorities a small flat-rate scheme, or something similar?
§ Mr. DunnWe are always prepared to consider any suggestion. The House will recall that in 1979 we attempted to make a change in the 1944 Act to allow local education authorities to introduce a charge for pupils, while enabling them to provide transport more generously. That move was defeated in the House of Lords and we have no plans to make further changes.
§ Mr. BarronDoes the Minister realise that in areas such as south Yorkshire the passenger transport service is able to provide for hundreds of school children a 2p fare to school whether they live within 3 miles of, or more than 3 miles from, a particular school? Does he recognise the threat which the service faces because of the policies of some of his hon. Friends?
§ Mr. DunnThe House will be aware of the implications for jobs of such subsidies. Local education authorities have the right to decide how they provide transport and under what conditions. We do not intend to deviate from that.