HC Deb 06 March 1978 vol 945 cc538-9W
Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will issue a circular to members of the area education and library boards making it clear that they exercise their statutory functions as principals and not on behalf of the Department.

Mr. Carter

No. Clarification of the relationship between the education and library boards and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland is not necessary. Responsibility for general policy, financial control, law and standards relating to the education and library services is vested in the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. The boards, which are bodies corporate, are responsible to the Department for the local administration of the education and library services and the departmental controls are set out in the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1972.