HC Deb 23 February 1900 vol 79 cc935-6
COLONEL LOCKWOOD

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the, financial arrangements of the Consultative Committee under the new Education Bill will be identical with those usual in the case of Members serving on Royal Commissions.

SIR J. CORST

The financial arrangements of the Consultative Committee are at present under the consideration of the ' Government.

SIR WILLIAM ANSON () Oxford University

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether universities and other bodies concerned with teaching will be invited to nominate persons for appointment on the Consultative Committee created by the Board of Education Act; and whether regulations or terms of reference under which the advisory duties of the Committee are to be discharged will be set forth in the Order in Council which will be laid upon the Table of the House.

SIR J. GORST

The answer to the first paragraph is in the negative. The first member's of the Consultative Committee will be appointed by the Order in Council, subsequent members in such manner as the Order in Council may direct. The answer to the second paragraph is also in the negative. The method of reference is prescribed in the Act itself. The Committee will advise on any matter referred to it by the Board of Education.

LORD HUGH CECIL () Greenwich

Will care be taken in appointing the members of the Consultative Committee to avoid the selection of anyone from any society who is believed to take a strong view in any of the educational controversies?

SIR J. GORST

I am afraid I cannot give any assurance to the noble Lord. I have no doubt the Government, by whom the selection will be made, will take every precaution to secure that the Committee shall be one representing the House and the country. The names will lie on the Table for a whole month, and will be open to the criticism of the noble Lord or any other' Member.