§ MR. J. H. LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)To ask the Secretary to the the Board of Education have sanctioned Board of Education in how many cases schemes which make provision for the election of one woman only; and whether he will state on what ground these schemes have been sanctioned, in view of the provision of The Education Act, 1902, requiring the inclusion of women as well as men among the members of the Education Committee.
(Answered by Sir William Anson.) While there are a number of schemes, the provisions of which would be satisfied by the presence of one woman on the Committee, there are practically none under the provisions of which, in the opinion of the Board, the presence of more than one woman is impossible. The Board of Education are advised that the requirements of Section 17 (3) (c) are satisfied by the provision in a scheme for the presence of one woman only, especially having regard to the provisions of Section 1 (1) (b) of the Interpretation Act, 1889.