§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Education what is the total number of local authorities empowered to raise rates for education in connection with the National Schools and, as the population of the schools will be increased by nearly a million in the near future, what increase in the number of such local authorities is contemplated.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI assume that the hon. Member refers to local authorities with powers to precept or raise rates for the450W maintenance of the local education services. The statutory local education authorities are the councils of counties, county boroughs and any joint education boards set up under the First Schedule to the Education Act, 1944. There are 62 counties (including the Isles of Scilly), 83 county boroughs and one joint education board. The number of statutory local education authorities does not vary with variations in the school population.