HC Deb 01 May 1930 vol 238 cc357-8
38. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the absence of further legislation, orders by the Minister of Health, under Section 46 of the Local Government Act, 1929, may result in the creation of a series of new Part III education authorities; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation in order to obviate such a result, which was not intended when the Act of 1929 was framed?

Sir C. TREVELYAN

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the serious difficulties with which county councils will be confronted in carrying out their plans for educational reorganisation, if large numbers of new Part III authorities are created as a result of Orders made under the Local Government Act, 1929. It appears, as the right hon. Gentleman's question suggests, that such a result was never intended when last year's legislation was framed. His Majesty's Government are, therefore, prepared to introduce a short Bill to obviate the creation, by Orders under the Local Government Act, of new authorities for elementary education.

Mr. EDE

Will the Bill also include provisions whereby existing Part III education authorities below a certain size may be absorbed in the county areas?

Sir C. TREVELYAN

I cannot possibly say that.