Education Committees (Press, Admission)

HC Deb 21 December 1944 vol 406 cc1973-4W

Mr. R. Duckworth

asked the Minister of Education to what extent education committees of local authorities are opening their proceedings to the Press.

Mr. Butler

Under the Local Authorities (Admission of the Press to Meetings) Act, 1908, the Press have a right, except when in view of the special nature of the business they are temporarily excluded by resolution of the committee, to be admitted to the proceedings of an education committee in so far as it is dealing with matters which it has not to submit for the local education authority's approval. I understand that in many areas it is the practice for the local education authority to allow the Press to be admitted to the whole of the proceedings of its education committee, but I am unable to give an exact figure without special inquiry.