Bus Fares (Schoolchildren)

HC Deb 19 November 1974 vol 881 cc375-6W

61. Mr. Stanley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek powers to prevent bus companies from charging the full adult fare to

				Expenditure on administration* and advisory services £	Loans made available
					Industrial £	Tourism £
1970–71	…	…	…	166,000	139,200	62,200
1971–72	…	…	…	208,500	103,200	55,400
1972–73	…	…	…	209,500	101,000	20,300
1973–74	…	…	…	229,000	95,000	54,400
1974–75 (Estimated)	…	…	…	287,500	220,000	5,000
* The administrative costs, which include those of the loan schemes, cannot be readily extracted.

schoolchildren who are obliged to travel to school in peak hours.

Mr. Carmichael

No. Fares are a matter for the bus operators, subject to the general oversight of the traffic commissioners. Local education authorities already have power to assist with the reasonable travelling expenses of any pupil.