§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on school transport; what savings he expects to make in a full financial year as a result of policy changes; from which school sectors; and what impact he assesses this will have on enrolment. [2493]
§ Mr. AncramFrom the beginning of the 1997–98 school year, assistance will be provided only to pupils who are unable to gain a place in a suitable school or institution of further education within statutory walking distance of their home. Statutory walking distance is defined as two miles for primary school pupils and three miles for other pupils.
It is estimated that savings of some £3.4 million per annum in total will be achieved when the policy is fully implemented.
The estimated savings in each sector are:
685W
£million Primary 0.5 Secondary/Grammar 2.5 Further education 0.4 The policy change is not expected to affect overall enrolment figures, although variations to enrolments at individual schools are expected. The extent of these will be determined by whatever choices parents make for their children in response to the new transport arrangements.