HC Deb 05 March 1948 vol 448 cc695-6
Mr. J. Edwards

I beg to move, in page 22, line 15, to leave out from "powers," to the end of line 17, and to insert: of inspection as may be prescribed in relation to the exercise of functions under this Part of this Act by or by arrangement with or on behalf of local authorities. When we were discussing this Clause in Standing Committee, I admitted that Subsection (3, a) had been drawn a little wide. I did not commit myself to look at the matter again, but I have done so, and I think no harm will be done by restricting that paragraph to powers of inspection. I therefore move this Amendment as an indication of my right hon. Friend's great confidence in the major authorities.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. J. Edwards

I beg to move, in page 22, line 22, at the end, to insert: (c) may make provision with respect to the qualifications of officers employed by local authorities for the purposes of this Part of this Act or by voluntary organisations acting under arrangements with or on behalf of local authorities for those purposes. When we discussed in Standing Committee the making of regulations, I said that the machinery already existed for determining remuneration and conditions of service, but I promised to reconsider the question of qualifications, particularly, as I instanced at the time, the main- tenance of the right standards for such classes of officials as the home teachers of the blind. This Amendment enables the Minister to make regulations in respect of the qualifications of officers employed by local authorities or by voluntary organisations used by the local authorities as their agents for the purposes of Part III services. Initially, such regulations may be limited to people like the home teachers of the blind, but the Amendment would enable subsequent regulations to be made in relation to other officers as and when the laying down of appropriate qualifications became possible and, of course, compliance with any regulations for the time being in force would be a condition for the approval of local authority schemes made under Clause 28 (3). I hope that this is what hon. Members wanted.

Mr. E. Evans

Does that apply to, say, the missioners for the deaf who already have a qualification, and welfare workers, for whom there is a diploma already recognised by the voluntary societies who employ them?

Mr. Edwards

It would be quite possible to make regulations governing any category of persons employed directly by local authorities or by voluntary bodies as agents of local authorities.

Mr. Burden

While welcoming this Amendment, and the purpose behind it, and while we are all in favour of the highest professional qualifications, may I ask the Minister whether he will undertake, as far as is reasonably possible, that there shall be consultation with the appropriate organisations in regard to these standards, instead of having a unilateral determination in regard to qualifications?

Mr. Edwards

Of course; it would be most unusual if it were unilateral.

Amendment agreed to.