HC Deb 13 February 1996 vol 271 c524W
Mr. Robert McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will create a special beneficial home-to-school free transport category for Belfast city centre grammar schools whose catchment area necessarily includes Greater Belfast and North Down; and if he will make a statement. [14548]

Mr. Ancram

No. Following consultation on proposals for revising the school transport arrangements, I have decided that there should be no change in the present arrangements in the school year beginning next September. My Department will, however, be writing to education and library boards about the arrangements for taking forward further detailed consideration of the options for reducing expenditure on home-to-school transport, including consultation with schools and other interests.