§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the estimated number of assaults on, and accidents to, children walking to and from school in consequence of the refusal of local education authorities to issue bus passes;
(2) whether she will take steps to ensure that local education authorities pay due regard to consideration of safety in determining their policy for the issue of bus passes to schoolchildren.
§ Mrs. ThatcherLocal education authorities are already aware that their discretionary powers under Section 55(2) of the Education Act, 1944, as amended, allow them to take safety into consideration. The Department has no information available in respect of my hon. Friend's first Question.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance she has issued to local education authorities concerning the exercise of their powers to issue bus basses to schoolchildren under Section 55 of the Education Act, 1944.
§ Mrs. ThatcherLocal education authorities were reminded a few years ago of the need to keep under review the use of their discretionary powers under Section 55(2) of the Education Act, 1944 (as amended) Authorities' duties under that Section are clear and further guidance would serve no useful purpose.