Schedule 13 - The Training and Development Agency for Schools
Education Bill [Lords]
3:30 pm
Mrs Angela Watkinson (Shadow Minister, Education; Upminster, Conservative)
I glanced quickly through the schedule as we discussed clause 77, and seek clarification from the Minister of the supplementary powers that the schedule confers on the agency. The agency’s powers are wide ranging. It can
“acquire and dispose of land and other property ... enter into contracts ... invest sums not immediately required for the purposes of the discharge of their functions, and ... accept gifts or money, land or other property.”
There is one caveat in paragraph 1(2):
“The Agency may not borrow”.
I am interested to hear more, particularly about the acquisition and disposal of land and other property. I felt, as I glanced through that list of supplementary powers, that they were quite draconian. I wonder how the Minister envisages that they might be used.