HC Deb 25 February 1904 vol 130 cc986-7
MR. ASHTON (Bedfordshire, Luton)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether, as those managers of a voluntary school who are appointed by the local authorities are personally liable for the repairs of the fabric of the schools equally with the foundation managers, and as there is no way by which they can avoid this liability except by refusing their consent to repairs, he will take steps to amend the Education Act of 1902, by relieving the managers appointed by local authorities from liability. † See (4) Debates, cxxix., 473. ‡See page 536.

* THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Sir WILLIAM ANSON,) Oxford University

The hon. Member's Question is based on a misapprehension. No manager is personally liable for the cost of repairs to the fabric unless he makes himself so by becoming a party to a contract. Managers appointed by local authorities need have no difficulty in renouncing from the outset any liability for the cost of these repairs: the foundation managers could not then be regarded as their agents to commit them to any such liability. There is no reason why local authority managers should not, under these conditions, agree to the necessity for repairs without incurring personal liability for the expenditure.

MR. ASHTON

Are they held liable unless they gave notice to the effect that they are not liable?

* SIR WILLIAM ANSON

It is easy for them to give notice through the public Press, and to have their renunciation recorded on the minutes of the managers' meetings.