HC Deb 03 December 1976 vol 921 cc275-6W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will review the ultimate sentence of paragraph 17 of Command Paper No. 6678 concerning education policy making, in view of the fact that such a policy is contrary to the provisions of Section 4 of the Education Act 1944.

Mr. Oakes

No. My right hon. Friend is aware of the position, but thinks it right not to take a precipitate decision.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which of the standing and ad hoc committees mentioned in paragraph 17 of Command Paper No. 6678, her reply to the select committee recommendations on education policy making, have the initiatory powers possessed by either Central Advisory Council under Section 4 of the Education Act 1944.

Mr. Oakes

The ad hoc and standing bodies mentioned in paragraph 17 of Command Paper No. 6678 were set up because, compared with Central Advisory Councils, they were, as the paragraph says, more suited to needs as they have arisen". To examine the terms of reference of all the bodies which might be thought relevant to the question would require a disproportionate staff effort, but, generally speaking, they were set up to examine particular areas of interest and would not have possessed powers to examine other areas on their own initiative.