To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to education authorities concerning child safety on school buses; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 28 June 1990]: The safety of pupils using transport made available by education authorities is the responsibility of the authority concerned. Authorities have a duty of care arising from the common law, and also specifically from the provisions in the Schools (Safety and Supervision of Pupils) (Scotland) 1990 Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to how many children travel to school each day by school bus in each education authority area.

[holding answer 28 June 1990]: The information requested, taken from a survey undertaken in October 1989 and assembled by education authority area, is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to education authorities concerning the criteria to be applied in determining whether a child qualifies to travel to and from school by school bus.

[holding answer 28 June 1990]: Education authorities are required by the terms of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to make free travel arrangements for pupils who live outwith the statutory walking distance from school. The Act defines the statutory walking distance as being two miles for pupils under the age of eight years and three miles for any other pupils. Authorities have discretion to provide free travel arrangements in other circumstances.