§ 30. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what authority he exercises his administrative powers in connection with education in Wales.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have no administrative powers in connection with education in Wales except in regard to the provision of education for prisoners and Borstal inmates, in pursuance of the statutory rules made under Section 47 of the Prison Act, 1952, and for children and young persons in approved schools and in remand homes in pursuance of the statutory rules made under the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933.
§ Mr. ThomasIn dealing with the normal Welsh—[An HON. MEMBER: "Where are they?"]—does the Minister indicate that he has no administrative powers at all? Are they completely in the hands of the Minister of Education?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have no administrative powers, but I hope I am not too conceited in saying that I have a certain amount of persuasive power. Of course, that does not rank with the persuasive powers of the hon. Member himself—persuasive powers which he exercised when he invited me to come to a school in his constituency.
§ Mr. GowerIs it not a fact that the Department of Education is the one Department where there is a very considerable amount of devolution in Wales?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeIt is not the one Department; it is one of several Departments—especially the four mentioned by the Council of Wales—where there has been, I am glad to say, considerable devolution, as my hon. Friend says.