TNAG-1363-FCO40-1809-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 143

Supplementary to Question No. 7

in LegCo Meeting on 20.11.85

Mr. Yeung Po-kwan:- Sir, despite the guidelines on safety issued by

the Education Department each year, can Government assure the public

that there is full compliance on the part of the school van operators

with a recommendation that children should be supervised by a teacher

or an adult other than the driver while travelling?

Secretary for Transport:- Sir, I would like to give a general assurance

that these vehicles are properly constructed, properly maintained and that

they do behave in a safe manner, generally speaking. Over 70 per cent

of the vehicles, as shown by a recent survey, do have an adult supervisor

in addition to the driver and I believe that the present system is very

much better than the old system where vehicles were not properly maintained

and properly insured.

Prof. Poon:- Sir, I would like to make reference to the question of

present needs. There are two types of school children, one is going to

the normal schools and the other going to special schools. I understand

that children going to special schools, because of their need,' pay an

average of $100 more than other going to normal schools. I believe

a large number of children going to special schools come from familie s

of insufficient means. Will Government inform this Council whether

there are plans to subsidise the cost of the transport service for

needy parents of special school pupils?