§ 24. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the attempts being made to further bureaucratise the administration of education in Scotland by curtailing the powers, privileges and duties of the local management committees; whether he has had protests from the school management committees in New Kilpatrick and Kirkintilloch upon the most recent encroachment upon their powers by the education authority for the county of Dumbarton; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure a continuance of local interest in the administration of education?
§ Mr. JAMES STEWART (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Scotland)As regards the first part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that under Section 3 of the Education (Scotland) Act. 1918, the powers and duties of school management committees are subject, with certain specified exceptions, to any regulations and restrictions made by 1054 the education authority concerned. As regards the second part, my right hon. Friend has received the communications referred to, and will consider them carefully, although, as at present advised, he does not see that it would be open to him to intervene. As regards the third part, the Department will do all in their power to ensure the observance of the conditions which Parliament has laid down.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it clearly not the intention of the Department to alter the powers of the school management committees at present?
§ Mr. STEWARTNo, that is not the intention at the moment.