RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has called for a government debate on school transport.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Evans said current rules were ‘hugely discriminatory’.

He said: “If a youngster passes an entrance exam to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, but lives more than three miles from it and has to go past another school on the way, they get no assistance with school transport costs, which is hugely discriminatory.

“We should be encouraging youngsters to attend the school of their choice.”

Leader of the House of Commons, Andrew Lansley, said he was aware of the issue, which he described as ‘quite complex’.

Mr Lansley said he would ask the Department of Education to write to him about it, and ‘how they see us being able to help promote parental choice in relation to schools’.