§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Transport what replies he has sent to the letters sent to him on the subject of school transport referred to in the Written Answer to the hon. Member for Sudbury and Woodbridge (Mr. Stainton), Official Report, 20th May, column 314.
§ Mr. HoramThe replies sent to letters received on the subject of the withdrawal by British Rail of the half-rate season ticket for schoolchildren aged 14–17 have explained that the Government have imposed a strict limit on the amount of annual subsidy to be paid to the railways and the Railways Board's decision to withdraw this concession is necessary to help to meet this. Although I have great sympathy with those parents who will have to meet the extra costs, it 629W is one of the measures taken by the Board in its attempt to avoid the need for a further general fares increase later this year.