§ MR. LEVY (Leicestershire, Loughboro)I bog to ask the President of the Local Government Board, if he will state under what Act or provisions County and Borough Councils are levying rates for educational purposes provided for by the Act of 1902 prior to that Act becoming operative in the districts over which they have jurisdiction.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG) Bristol, S.I am advised that the power is given by Section 37 of the Interpretation Act, 1889. That section provides that where an Act passed after 1st January, 1890, which is not to come into operation immediately on its passing,
† See page 9.155 confers power to do anything for the purposes of the Act, that power may, unless the contrary intention appears, be exercised at any time after the passing of the Act, so far as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose of bringing the Act into operation at the date of its commencement. I may add that it would appear from a newspaper report which I have seen that the point is to come before the High Court for decision.
§ MR. WALTER LONGObviously, I cannot answer that Question. Each case depends on its particular merits. I cannot answer Questions of that kind unless I have all the facts before me.
§ MR. WALTER LONGI cannot possibly say that without a knowledge of the facts. Loans can be obtained for special administrative purposes, but for the general operation of the Act there must obviously be a rate.