§ 51. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Education if she will review the rules governing the conveyance of children to school so as to allow local education authorities in rural areas discretion to provide bus transport for all children with charge to the parents of those over seven years old.
§ Miss HorsbrughNo. The provision of transport for school children is governed by Section 55 of the Education Act, 1944. Any transport provided in pursuance of arrangements made under Section 55 (1) must be free of charge, but I am considering the introduction of an amendment to the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill now before the House to empower authorities to charge a reasonable fare for carrying in transport 21W provided under Section 55 (1) any pupils not covered by the arrangements made under that subsection.