HC Deb 22 October 1912 vol 42 cc1917-9
61. Mr. PIRIE

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he would state the reason for the special notification in the Gazette of the 15th instant concerning the composition of the Committee of Council on Education in Scotland, who are known as My Lords; and would he give the date of the last meeting of that body and the number of meetings, respectively, which its various members have attended?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The issue of a new Order in Council was rendered necessary by the change in the designation of Lord Haldane, one of the members of the Committee. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his question of 6th August last.

Mr. HOGGE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when that question was put on that occasion he did not answer this part of the question. There was no-reply?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I am not aware of that.

Mr. PIRIE

May I ask a definite answer to the portion of the question to which my hon. Friend refers?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

It was answered.

Mr. PIRIE

No, Sir, it was not answered. Are we to understand that the-Secretary for Scotland refuses to give the date of the last meeting of this so-called body?

Mr. SPEAKER

That may arise out of the answer to the next question.

Mr. PIRIE

I will raise this question on the Motion for Adjournment to-night.

62. Mr. PIRIE

asked with reference to the duties imposed upon the Committee of Council on Education in Scotland, and which are supposed to be performed at its meetings, if he would state whether minutes of these meetings are kept; who is responsible for such minutes; who is the chairman of the committee; and what is the number of members that constitute a quorum?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The questions, of my hon. Friend are founded upon a misapprehension of the functions and constitutional position of the Committee of Council referred to, which are similar to those of various other bodies in other Departments of the Government, like the English Board of Education, the Board of Trade, the English Local Government Board and the English Board of Agriculture.

Sir HENRY CRAIK

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that in years past this committee frequently met, and that minutes of the meetings are preserved among the archives of his; Department, and is there any reason why he should not be advised of the meetings?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I am not aware of frequent meetings, but I am aware that meetings have been held on important subjects. There is no reason why they should not be held again when occasion calls for them.

Mr. HOGGE

How does the right hon. Gentleman remove the misapprehension we have about this committee when he refuses to give any information?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I am afraid I cannot enter into this difficult question of constitutional history. I would refer my hon. Friend to the well-known work by the right hon. Baronet the Member for Oxford University (Sir William Anson). This committee is a growth in the progress of the Constitution. I cannot discuss it.

Mr. HOGGE

May I say that if the right hon. Gentleman would give the date of the last meeting, we could look it up for ourselves?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

My impression is that I gave the date. If I did not give it I will inquire and let the hon. Member know the date. If I did give it, I will give it again.

Mr. PIRIE

Who is the chairman of the committee?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The Lord President of the Council.

Mr. PIRIE

Does he know he is president of it?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I believe he does. My hon. and gallant Friend would not ask the question if he read the Minutes of the Department, because they are all signed by the president.

63. Mr. CHARLES PRICE

asked what are the duties to be performed by the new Council on Scottish Education; and whether a representative from the School Board of Scotland will be appointed to the council?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

My hon. Friend is mistaken in thinking that a new Council has been appointed. An Order in Council dealing with the constitution of the existing Committee of Council on Education in Scotland has recently been issued for the reason stated in the answer which I have just given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Aberdeenshire, but no change whatever has been made in the personnel of the committee.