§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation requiring children in transit to and from schools to be properly supervised in accordance with rule 7 of the highway code; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartNo. Rule 7 of the Highway Code recommends the training of children in crossing roads safely by themselves. This normally takes the form of instruction in schools and by responsible parents. Road safety is a matter of general application, not one specifically or exclusively connected with the transit of children to and from school.
§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he plans to issue any guidance to local education authorities on arrangements for supervision of children in transit to and from schools in view of the findings of the fatal accident inquiry into the death of Debra Coyle in Greenock on 3 June 1983.
§ Mr. Allan StewartNo. The arrangements for the provision of school transport and the question of supervision for pupils using it are matters which are best decided by education authorities in the light of local needs and circumstances. My right hon. Friend has considered 503W the findings of the fatal accident inquiry and has no reason to doubt that education authorities exercise their school transport functions in a responsible manner with due regard to the safety of the children.