77. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether local education committees were consulted by his Department before the new form of accounts was adopted; whether he is aware that the imposition of this new form of accounting towards the end of a financial year involves considerable extra expense; and, under these circumstances, will he consent to the postponement of the application of these alterations until after the 31st instant?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Fisher)I can add 1540 nothing to the replies previously given on this matter by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Health and myself.
§ Mr. FISHERYes, Sir.
§ Mr. HURDIf the right hon. Gentleman has taken steps to revise this decision, will he consult the local authorities so that the exact position may be quite clear?
§ Mr. FISHERI think we are making the position quite clear to the local authorities.
78. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Board's new method for the keeping of education accounts by local authorities requires the receipts to be submitted under approximately 67 different headings, and the expenditure to be shown under about 210 different headings; and has he received representations from the authorities who will have to do the work that, in their opinion, the new forms will not supply in some instances the information the Board requires, and will also entail considerable extra expense to carry out?
§ Mr. FISHERAs regards the first part of the question, I can add nothing to previous answers by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Health and myself. As regards the second part of the question, a suggestion to this effect has been made, but I am not aware that the form is inadequate for the purposes of the Board's requirements.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that, owing to the local authorities not having been informed till December of the proposed change, that it will involve great difficulty and expense in altering the accounts for the current year?
§ Mr. FISHERIn view of that fact, we are making concessions to the local authorities.