HC Deb 27 October 1994 vol 248 c811W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what medical training his Department advises is necessary for escorts of children with special educational needs being transported to and from school.

Mr, Richards

It is for local education authorities to satisfy themselves that appropriate supervision is made for the conveyance of children with special educational needs. The Government endorsed a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents report in 1991 which recommended that escorts should receive adequate first aid training.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice his Department has given to local education authorities on the transport of children with special educational needs to and from school.

Mr. Richards

Local education authorities are obliged to transport pupils in reasonable safety and comfort. Transport should be non-stressful, such as to enable a child to travel to and from school without undue stress, strain or difficulty such as would prevent the child benefiting from the education provided at the school. The advice was included in a draft circular issued for consultation earlier in the year, the final version of which should issue shortly.