§ 20. Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek powers to enable him to require uniformity of standards in assistance with transport to school.
§ Mr. ArmstrongStandards for pupils who are statutorily entitled to school transport are already uniform. In other cases local education authorities have wide discretionary powers. My right hon. Friend would not wish to change this situation in advance of his consideration of the Report of the Working Party on School Transport, on which the views of one of the associations principally concerned are still awaited. My right hon. Friend will make a statement as soon as possible after consultations have been344W completed and he has fully considered the report in the light of them.
§ 32. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for altering the regulations governing school transport; and if he will make a statement.
§ 40. Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he hopes to announce his decision concerning proposed changes in the existing system for the provision of transport for schoolchildren; and if he will make an interim statement.
§ 43. Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has now received replies from all the local authority associations whose views he sought on the report of the working party on school transport.
§ 49. Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce his decision on travel arrangements and assistance for schoolchildren; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArmstrongI would refer the hon. Members and my hon. Friends to my reply earlier today to a Question by the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen).