A KIRKLEES councillor has backed moves to ensure the safety of pupils on school trips.
The Commons Select Education Committee, chaired by Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, says every help should be given to teachers and staff supervising school trips and visits to ensure pupils' safety and wellbeing.
Clr Geoff Alvy, Kirklees Council Cabinet member for education, supports the view.
He said: "There have been some tragic accidents, which do get banner headlines.
"But the number of such incidents is minuscule in the context of the thousands and thousands of well-organised, well-supervised, and highly-valued school visits that take place each year.
"In Kirklees, we have been very pro-active by appointing an adviser and developing clear guidance for schools.
"School trips are an essential part of education and fears about the risk of an accident and teachers subsequently facing legal action are out of all proportion."
In its report the Commons committee said children were more likely to be in an accident at home or at school.
Mr Sheerman said: "We have to get away from the culture of fear that has grown around school trips and introduce some common sense.
"Accidents are still very rare and the Government must work to remove the fear of litigation, which is part of the growing compensation culture."
Clr Alvy added:
"Over the last two years there has been extensive training throughout Kirklees' schools to train headteachers and senior staff in safety issues and the management of educational visits."
