HC Deb 06 August 1918 vol 109 cc1297-8

(1) For the purpose of performing any duty or exercising any power under the Education Acts, a council having powers under those Acts may enter into such arrangements as they think proper for co-operation or combination with any other council or councils having those powers, and any such arrangements may provide for the appointment of a joint committee or a joint body of managers, for the delegation to that committee or body of managers of any powers or duties of the councils (other than the power of raising a rate or borrowing money), for the proportion of contributions to be paid by each council, and for any other matters which appear necessary for carrying out the arrangement.

(2) The Board of Education may, on the application of two or more councils having powers under the Education Acts, by scheme provide for the establishment and (if thought fit) the incorporation of a federation for such purposes or any such arrangements as aforesaid as may be specified in the scheme as being purposes relating to matters of common interest concerning education which it is necessary or convenient to consider in relation to areas larger than those of individual education authorities, and the powers conferred on councils by this Section shall include power to arrange for the performance of any educational or administrative functions by such a federation as if it were a joint committee or a joint body of managers.

Lords Amendments:

In Sub-section (1), leave out the word "those" ["having those powers"], and insert instead thereof the word "such."—Agreed to.

At the end of Sub-section (2), insert the words Provided that no council shall without its consent be included in a scheme establishing a federation; and no council shall be obliged to continue in a federation except in accordance with the provisions of a scheme to which it has consented.

Mr. FISHER

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

My hon. Friend asked me a question in connection with this Amendment, and I am very glad to be able to satisfy him. He asked me whether it would be competent for a council entering into a federation under the operation of this Clause to nominate a third of its members from persons suggested?

Sir R. ADKINS

To appoint?

Mr. FISHER

Yes; to appoint one-third of its members to be persons nominated by other bodies. I conceive that will be possible under the operation of this Clause.

Question put, and agreed to.