§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to education authorities concerning child safety on school buses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 28 June 1990]: The safety of pupils using transport made available by education authorities is the responsibility of the authority concerned. Authorities have a duty of care arising from the common law, and also specifically from the provisions in the Schools (Safety and Supervision of Pupils) (Scotland) 1990 Regulations.
§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to how many children travel to school each day by school bus in each education authority area.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 28 June 1990]: The information requested, taken from a survey undertaken in October 1989 and assembled by education authority area, is as follows:
Region Children receiving free transport by bus Borders 3,243 Central 7,532 Dumfries and Galloway 9,205 Fife 14,495 Grampian 16,249 Highland 9,478 Lothian 10,037 Strathclyde 52,126 Tayside 6,790 Orkney 1,322 Shetland 1,810 Western Isles 2,048 TOTAL 134,335
§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to education authorities concerning the criteria to be applied in determining whether a child qualifies to travel to and from school by school bus.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 28 June 1990]: Education authorities are required by the terms of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to make free travel arrangements for pupils who live outwith the statutory walking distance from school. The Act defines the statutory walking distance as being two miles for pupils under the age of eight years and three miles for any other pupils. Authorities have discretion to provide free travel arrangements in other circumstances.