§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list the provisions which empower her to intervene and request a reversion to status quo in connection with proposed changes by local education authorities in the issue of school bus passes; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThere is no provision specifically in the terms of the Question. Section 55(1) of the Education Act, 1944, empowers me to direct a local education authority to make arrangements for the provision of free school transport, but school transport arrangements are normally a matter for authorities' own discretion except when pupils live beyond statutory walking distance of the school.