§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in connection with his proposals relating to the school transport subsidy, what will be the effect on relevant expenditure on which rate support grant is calculated if a particular local authority charges for school transport; and if he proposes to supplement in any direct way the transport 406W charges raised by an individual authority.
§ Dr. BoysonThe calculation of relevant expenditure for the 1980-81 rate support grant settlement already reflects the Government's assumption that local authorities collectively will, subject to passage of the Education (No. 2) Bill, reduce their expenditure on school transport, mainly by charging for pupils who have hitherto travelled free. It is, however, for individual local authorities to decide the precise pattern of their expenditure reductions in the light of local needs and circumstances. My right hon. and learned Friend has no intention of supplementing the transport charges raised by any individual authority.
§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the extra average weekly cost to parents, per child at school, of his proposed cuts in school meals and transport, assuming that these cuts were apportioned evenly between all schoolchildren throughout the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. BoysonDividing the reduction in expenditure on school meals, milk and transport expected in 1980–81 among the estimated maintained school population of England and Wales gives a figure of approximately 49p per week over 52 weeks.