asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will issue a circular requesting local education authorities to employ supervisors on single-manned public service buses carrying five- to seven-year-old children to school.

Local education authorities already have powers to employ such supervisors if they consider it advisable to do so.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Is she aware that a new, rather worrying, factor has entered into the transport of children on public service buses; namely, the swift introduction of single-manned buses on which there is nobody to look after these small children? Is she able to give advice to parents and local education authorities on this subject?

I am aware of this fact because of the correspondence I have had from my hon. Friend. I think it right to expect parents to take the prime responsibility for their children on the journey between home and school.