§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can confirm that the Belfast Education and Library Board is withdrawing bus 1270WA passes from a large number of pupils in its area, and whether they will take steps to ensure that
- (i) existing parental choice is not restricted by withdrawing bus passes from those who choose a school more than three miles from their home; and
- (ii) existing comprehensive schools in Northern Ireland are treated in the same way as integrated schools, so that parents who cannot afford to pay for their children's transport remain free to choose comprehensive education for their children where it is available.
§ Lord LyellBus passes are not being withdrawn. However, from the beginning of the 1986–87 school year there will be a change in the arrangements relating to secondary pupils which will generally restrict payment for school transport to the cost to the nearest appropriate school, being a school which can provide an education appropriate to age, abilities and aptitudes of the pupil, provided that it is more than 3 miles from the pupil's home; a parent may select a school other than the nearest on grounds of religious conscience.
Where a pupil living outside statutory walking distance of the school attended is deemed to be ineligible for the full payment of school transport costs, financial assistance not exceeding the cost of travel to the nearest appropriate school will be paid provided that school is outside the statutory walking distance from the pupil's home. Pupils presently enrolled will continue to receive school transport under the existing arrangements until they complete their school courses. When assessing applications for school transport made on grounds of religious conscience, boards have been asked to have regard to schools which have been specifically established to provide integrated education; this arrangement will not extend to comprehensive schools.