HC Deb 28 October 1943 vol 393 c365
33. Mr. Lipson

asked the President of the Board of Education whether before he decided to include in the White Paper a proposal to abolish Part III authorities and transfer their functions to county councils, he considered the working of the 1929 Act in Scotland which effected a similar change and resulted in destroying the hitherto great interest in education in many Scottish boroughs; and, in view of the unsatisfactory effects on education in Scotland, will he reconsider the present proposal?

The President of the Board of Education (Mr. Butler)

The hon. Member is, I think, under some misapprehension as to the effect of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, to which, I understand, he refers. The effect of that Act was, I am advised, to transfer the functions of the ad hoc county and burgh education authorities to the county and burgh councils of the same areas. It is not within my province to comment on the position in Scotland resulting there-from.

Mr. Lipson

Does my right hon. Friend realise that it is very unwise to abolish these efficient Part III authorities?

Mr. Butler

That raises a wider question.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the system in Scotland is working very well?