asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received on the subject of the statutory walking distances and school transport.

My right hon. Friend has received about 100 letters since the beginning of the year on school transport issues from parents and from hon. Members on both sides of the House.

The Minister will know that it is some three years—1975 to be exact—since her Department published proposals that would lead to the abolition of statutory walking distances. Bearing in mind the considerable delay, does the hon. Lady fully appreciate the arbitrary nature of statutory walking distances, particularly in rural areas. Does she appreciate also the various vested interests which undoubtedly are present when it comes to change? Will she please drive on with her proposals, produce some results and make a statement to the House before the Summer Recess?

I cannot guarantee to do that, although I shall attempt to do so. We quite accept what the hon. Gentleman says about the arbitrary and unsatisfactory nature of the present arrangements. For the past three years we have been trying to find a way in which some kind of arrangement could be reached to improve them.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the position in South Humberside, where the new Conservative-controlled council has gone back to the absolute minimum standard—we had a better standard under a Labour-controlled authority—to the consternation of everyone in my constituency, particularly in the rural villages? Will she make quite clear, because all sorts of rumours are going about, that there is no question of any Government directive but that it is a Conservative action taken by a Conservative-controlled council which could be doing something better?

Sadly, the example of Humberside is repeated right across the country. It is my understanding that in Humberside it is not only in transport that improvements carried out by the previous authority have been removed.

Would not the Minister agree that it would be fairer if the distance were related to the actual miles that have to be driven by a vehicle rather than the present basis of assessment, which appears to be the principle of "as the crow flies"?

I must agree with the hon. Gentleman that there are a variety of ways in which a fairer scheme could be devised. It is our hope that we shall be able to find a scheme which will meet with agreement.