HC Deb 30 April 1948 vol 450 cc801-2

12.30 p.m.

Mr. Eric Fletcher (Islington, East)

I beg to move, in page 2, line 16, to leave out "Subsection (5)," and to insert "Subsections (5) and (6)."

Perhaps I might suggest that at the same time we should take the following Amendment in page 3, line 28, at the end, to insert: (6) No provision shall be made by a scheme as to, or as to the governing body of, an endowment which is applicable for the purposes of professional education or training, except with the consent of the governing body of such endowment. It will be remembered that Clause 2 extends the Endowed Schools Acts of 1869 to 1908, and confers powers on the Minister with regard to education endowments by schemes made under those Acts, to alter or add to existing trusts and to make new trusts and to consolidate or divide endowments. There was a discussion during the Second Reading of the Bill in regard to the operation of Clause 2 and concern was expressed about certain university endowments. Since the Second Reading the Minister has put down Amendments to Clause 2 which are now embodied in it and, in particular, in Subsection (5), which has the result of protecting university endowments on the lines suggested during the Second Reading stage.

I have put down this further Amendment for this reason. The Amendments already incorporated in the Clause protect university endowments but in my submission, they do not except any scholarship or endowment for professional training. If I may give an illustration, the Clause in its present form would effect certain trust funds which are administered by the Law Society for purposes of providing prizes and administrative funds which they have for prizes. In its present form, the Clause will affect the prizes and scholarships which are awarded on the results of the Law Society's examination. It might also affect funds used by the Law Society generally for the purpose of legal education which are the result of sales of certain properties.

I hope the Minister will agree in principle that the same protection that has been conceded in the case of university endowments should be conceded in the case of endowments for professional training. The object of the Amendment, therefore, is to extend the exception to these and to provide that no scheme which affects such funds shall be made without the consent of the governing body of such endowments. I very much hope that the principle of the Amendment will be accepted by the Minister, even if he has had no opportunity to satisfy himself that the precise words of my Amendment carry out the intention which I have explained.

Mr. Seholefield Allen (Crewe)

I beg to second the Amendment.

I hope the Minister will accept this very desirable Amendment. The Minister has conceded the point for university schemes, and professional bodies desire the same cover for the same purpose. I am happy to add my few words in the hope that the Minister will see his way to agree to this very desirable recommendation.

The Minister of Education (Mr. Tomlinson)

As the hon. Member for East Islington (Mr. E. Fletcher) suggested, I have not had time to look at this with a view to seeing whether or not the wording used here would fit in the Bill, but I am in sympathy with the object and purpose of the Amendment. We have no desire to trespass upon this ground, and if the hon. Member will withdraw his Amendment, I will undertake to look into it, to accept the principle, and to introduce an Amendment in another place.

Mr. E. Fletcher

In view of that assurance, for which I am very much obliged, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.