FINANCIAL POWERS OF BOARDS (Hansard, 21 June 1988)

§ Mr. Norman Hogg
I beg to move amendment No. 40, in page 11, line 30, after 'borrowing,' insert 'or levying charges'.

§ Mr. Speaker
With this it will be convenient to take Government amendment No. 49.

§ Mr. Hogg
As the amendments are linked, I assume that the Government accept amendment No. 40, which is intended to ensure that boards do not start imposing charges for any educational function or charging levies and thus behaving like a private school. If the Government accept our amendment, I should be delighted to hear from the Minister.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
I am not able to accept amendment No. 40, but I think that I can help the hon. Member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth (Mr. Hogg).
Amendment No. 49 is designed to meet the anxieties expressed in Committee about charges. It does not make specific provision for the compulsory transfer of property from a school board, which is being disestablished on the amalgamation of a school, to an interim board. In such circumstances, a board may wish to use its resources in a specific way—for example, to preserve the school's name for posterity by endowing a prize for the combined school, and we do not wish that to be prevented. The board will know that the interim board exists and that property not transferred to the interim board and not otherwise provided for will go to the education authority or the board's disestablishment. It will thus be able to exercise choice. We shall issue guidance to boards on the disposal of properties so that they are aware of the options. I urge the hon. Gentleman to withdraw amendment No. 40 and to support the Government amendment.

§ Sir Hector Monro
As one who raised this matter on Second Reading and in Standing Committee, I thank my hon. Friend the Minister for his clarification.

§ Mr. Norman Hogg
Having heard the Minister's comments and as I now more clearly understand the Government's intention, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.