§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department has given any advice or guidance to regional councils on the need for school transport contingency plans to avoid leaving young children stranded in country areas when weather conditions suddenly become severe.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe arrangements for school transport are a matter for each education authority to determine in the light of local needs and circumstances. The authorities are in the best position to assess such matters and my right hon. Friend has not issued guidance.
§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what number and percentage of schoolchildren in Scotland receive free school transport under section 50 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980; what are the figures for primary and secondary schoolchildren; and what are the corresponding figures for each education authority.
50W
§ Mr. Allan StewartAs my right hon. Friend indicated in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Henderson) on 15 Febrary 1984 the returns showing the number of school children in each education authority area receiving free school transport under section 50 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 in the current school session have been placed in the Library. Figures for the number of pupils on the school roll in the current session are not yet available but I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as they are to hand.—[Vol. 54, c.229.]