HC Deb 30 June 1949 vol 466 cc1489-91
11 and 12. Mr. John E. Haire

asked the Minister of Education (1) if he will take immediate steps to review the decision of the Buckinghamshire County Education Committee to wind up the activities of all but two of the divisional executive committees in the county; and if he will urge the retention of these local committees so that democratic and progressive control of local education can remain in the hands of the people affected;

(2) what powers county education committees have under his regulations to curtail the existing functions of divisional executive committees.

Mr. Tomlinson

Subject to their com- plying with the requirements of Part III of the First Schedule to the Education Act, 1944, a local education authority has power to vary an existing scheme of divisional administration. In the case to which my hon. Friend refers I understand that the recommendation of the Education Committee has yet to be confirmed by the County Council as local education authority.

Mr. Haire

Would my right hon. Friend see that before this decision is approved by the County Council some efforts are made to acquaint the divisional executives concerned, and in any case is it not democratic that a decision like this should first be submitted to the divisional executive committees for consultation?

Mr. Tomlinson

When it has been before the County Council it will have to be submitted both to the Minister and to the divisional executives and the agreement of the Minister must be obtained before it becomes effective.

Mr. Lipson

Do I understand the Minister to say that his approval is required before a variation of the scheme is agreed to, and can he say whether any other authority made similar requests to that of the Buckinghamshire County Council?

Mr. Tomlinson

My permission will be required, and I have not yet received a request in this or in any other case.

Mr. Haire

When my right hon. Friend is asked to make a decision, will he remember that when control of local education in Buckinghamshire was last in the hands of the county authority at Aylesbury, it was decidedly unpopular; and will he see that necessary progress in education is not subordinated to county rate considerations?

Mrs. Manning

In view of the further centralisation of education in Buckinghamshire and the loss of local interests will the Minister not have consultations immediately, with his inspectorate and other people in the area to avoid this becoming a critical situation?

Mr. Tomlinson

I would point out that the Minister is called upon to act when certain things are done. They have not yet been done; if I were to go about seeking mares' nests I could find a good many.

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