§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will take steps to prevent local education authorities from withdrawing financial assistance towards transport from children in voluntary-aided schools on purely denominational grounds.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe Government attach importance to the preservation of the opportunity to choose a school in accordance with religious convictions. Since 1 October, 621W local education authorities have been obliged to have regard, in considering whether or not to provide a child with free school transport, to—among other things—the parent's wishes for him to attend a school of the denomination to which the parent adheres.