§ 44. Mr. BARKERasked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Abertillery education committee on the 20th November passed a resolution against the power exercised by the Board to curtail grants payable to local education authorities below the limits prescribed by Section 118 of the Education Act, 1921; and will he, having regard to the heavy burdens due to industrial depression, give effect to this resolution by relieving local authorities of these added burdens?
Mr. WOODThe Resolution referred to by the hon. Gentleman has reference to Clause (4) of the Economy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, introduced in the last Parliament. I am fully alive to the difficulties of local education authorities resulting from industrial depression.
§ Mr. BARKERCannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to alleviate the position of these districts?
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House under what part of the Statute of 1921 he has the power to deal with these grants other than to pay 50 per cent.?
Mr. WOODI have already answered that in reply to a previous question. My action is limited by the amount of money that Parliament places at my disposal.
§ Mr. RICHARDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of Section 118 of the Act, and is not the Board's action annulling that portion entirely?