Education and Inspections Bill

moved Amendment No. 11: Page 2, line 11, leave out ““powers”” and insert ““functions”” The noble Baroness said: Amendment No. 11 would adjust the wording of Clause 2 to reflect more accurately the role of local authorities in carrying out their duties in relation to diversity and choice. It is not clear to me how the functions that the local authority will carry out under this clause are powers. A local authority may well perform functions or tasks which achieve diversity in school provision and opportunities for parents’ choice, but I do not see how they will involve use of their powers. The Oxford English Dictionary describes functions as, "““the mode of action by which it fulfils its purpose””," and as ““official duties””, whereas power is described as: "““Possession of control or command over others””." This amendment seeks to establish firmly that local authorities play a functional role only in terms of local schooling. This is a drafting amendment which I sincerely hope the Minister is able to accept. I beg to move.