§ Mr. Clemitsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated cost of providing free transport to and from school for those children and young people who qualify under the criteria currently in force.
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§ Mr. MulleyAbout £68 million in the current financial year.
§ Mr. Clemitsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the best available estimate of the cost of providing free transport to and from school for all children and young people.
§ Mr. MulleyA large but uncertain proportion of pupils would not need transport. A precise estimate of the likely take up and cost is not, therefore, possible. The cost of providing free transport for half the school population could substantially exceed £200 million a year compared with £68 million at present.