HC Deb 17 March 1904 vol 131 cc1404-5
DR. MACNAMARA

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether, having regard to the fact that sanction has been given to the scheme of the London County Council, he will now sanction the schemes proposed under Section 17 of the Education Act of 1902 by the municipalities of Swansea, Cardiff, and Newport.

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

No, Sir. The local authorities of Swansea, Cardiff, and Newport desire to confine the membership of their Education Committees (except as regards two women in each case) strictly to their respective councils, and the Board of Education have raised no objection to this arrangement. The Board have, however, asked the councils to retain the power of co-opting two or three persons in case at some future time they should be of opinion that without such co-option they would be unable to provide from their own body persons of experience in education and persons acquainted with the needs of the schools in their areas. It is obvious that the conditions of London are essentially different from those of the municipalities in question.

DR. MACNAMARA

May I ask whether the provision insisted on is or is not in the London scheme?

SIR WILLIAM ANSON

We have not thought it necessary to ask the County Council of London to retain this limited power of co-option, as the case in which it is necessary is not likely to arise.