§ Dr. LadymanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what discussions he has with the Department for Education and Employment concerning the impact on proprietorial schools of his decision not to issue permits to such schools under Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985; [99760]
(2) how many proprietorial schools have registered as public service operators following a decision not to grant them permits to operate a minibus under Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985. [99761]
§ Mr. HillIt has always been the case that only vehicles that are not being used with a view to profit may be operated under a permit issued under Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985. Decisions on whether particular applicants are eligible under the terms of Section 19 are for the Traffic Commissioners not my Department. I understand that there have been a small number of recent cases where proprietorial schools have applied for a public service vehicle operator's licence after having been ruled ineligible for a Section 19 permit by the Traffic Commissioner.
There have been no discussions between my Department and the Department for Education and Employment on this particular issue.