§ 24. Lieut.-Colonel GADIEasked the Minister of Health if, seeing that on the passing of the Local Government Bill the duties of poor law authorities are transferred to another body, he will consider the advisability of taking some action to avoid a guardians' election this year?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would point out to my hon. and gallant Friend that the appointed day for the transfer of poor law functions to the councils of counties and county boroughs is not, as he assumes, the date of the passing of the Act but the 1st April, 1930. With regard to the election of boards of guardians, paragraph 2 of the 9th Schedule to the Bill provides that no election shall be held after the passing of the Act and I hope that the Act will be passed in time to avoid a guardians' election this year.
§ Lieut.-Colonel GADIEIn view of the fact that one-third of the guardians retire on the 1st of April this year, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to continue the work of the board of guardians for one year until the new Act operates? Otherwise, there will be difficulty.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf the hon. Member will look at the Ninth Schedule, paragraph 2, he will see that that is provided for.
§ Mr. W. THORNEAre not boards of guardians elected for a certain period? Can the right hon. Gentleman nullify an Act of Parliament?
§ Mr. THORNEThe Act only comes into operation in 1930. Has not the right hon. Gentleman to make provision for the election of boards of guardians before the Act comes into operation?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAlthough the Act does not come into operation until then, it begins before then. If the hon. Member will look at the Schedule which I have mentioned, he will see that that matter is covered.
§ Mr. THORNEAm I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman will issue a Circular, to the effect that the present guardians who have been elected will function until the new Act operates?