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94 After Clause 42, insert the following new clause:
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"School Transport.
.—In section 55 of the 1944 Act (provision of transport and other facilities), the following subsection shall he added at the end—
(3) In considering whether or not they are required by subsection (1) above to make arrangements in relation to a particular pupil, the local education authority shall have regard (amongst other things) to the age of the pupil and the nature of the route, or alternative routes, which he could reasonably be expected to take.".".
§ Baroness HooperMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 94. This new clause is designed to clarify for the benefit of local education authorities how they should approach the duty which is placed on them under Section 55(1) of the 1944 Act. That duty is to make such arrangements for the provision of transport, and otherwise, as they consider necessary in order to facilitate the attendance of pupils at schools. Where local education authorities conclude that it is necessary to make such arrangements the transport must be provided free of charge. The Government have been aware for a long time that the concept of what is necesasry is not very explicit and the new clause enriches Section 55 by giving some examples of the kind of factor which has to be taken into account.
Moved, That this House do agree with the Commons in the said amendment.—(Baroness Hooper.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.