HC Deb 20 April 1950 vol 474 cc323-4
71. General Sir George Jeffreys

asked the Minister of Education whether the scheme which he has put forward for the alteration, amalgamation and redistribution of certain educational foundations in Hertfordshire is to be regarded as a model scheme which will subsequently be applied to all similar county groups and trusts, or whether he will consider the desirability of calling a further conference of all concerned before the principles involved are finally settled.

The Minister of Education (Mr. Tomlinson)

In accordance with the provisions of Section 2 of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1948, my Department are engaged on a review, on a county basis, of educational foundations throughout the country, and it is my intention to embark on other schemes on the general lines of the Hertfordshire scheme. The trusts of every charity proposed to be included in a scheme have to be carefully scrutinised, and opportunity is given during the publication of draft schemes for objections and representations to be made to me. The Hertfordshire scheme, which was sealed on the 13th of this month, was in fact materially amended in the light of such representations. I will, however, consider the practicability of consulting, before drafting similar schemes, those bodies of trustees who have a major interest in the scheme for the county concerned.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Is it not the case that this Hertfordshire scheme contemplated the diversion of money from local trusts to schools of other localities? Is he aware that such diversion causes very great local feeling and is very much disliked locally; and will he be very careful about doing this?

Mr. Tomlinson

As I say, all those things are taken into consideration when a scheme is put forward.