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56. The Bill passed the Committee Stage in the House of
Commons and was withdrawn on the 10th December. It has been
introduced in the House of Commons this Session, as amended,
and the Council has again presented a petition against it.
57. This Bill proposed to amend the Shop Hours Act, 1904,
by making it compulsory on Local Authorities to
make closing orders while empowering them to
refer to the ratepayers the questions whether any order shall come
into operation, and whether any alteration shall be made in the
order. The County Council would have been the Local Authority
for London. This Council petitioned against the Bill, which was
dropped after second reading.
Shops.
58. This Bill was introduced by the Government, and proposed
that rate aid should not be given to nonprovided
schools; that the existing law as to Parliamentary
grants should be amended; and that
trustees of schoolhouses held under charitable trusts might, notwithstanding
those trusts, transfer the schoolhouse to the Local
Education Authority. The Council presented a petition against
the Bill on the following, among other, grounds, viz. : its reactionary
character from an educational standpoint, its subversion
of trust deeds, and its confiscation of voluntary school buildings.
The Bill was read a second time and referred to a Committee of
the House of Commons, but was withdrawn before consideration
by the Committee.
Elementary
Education
(England and
Wales).
59. This Bill, referred to in the last Annual Report, did not
reach Third Reading in the House of Lords. A
similar Bill has been introduced in the present
Session, and the Council has presented a petition in favour thereof.
The Bill is awaiting consideration by a Committee of the House
of Lords.
Moveable
Dwellings.
60. No action was taken with reference to the other Bills
above mentioned.
61. The subject of the provision of a new Mortuary and
Coroner's Court for Wandsworth has continued to
receive the consideration of the Council. Plans
have been prepared for the erection or a suitable
Mortuary and Coroner's Court on part of the land which was
Proposed
Mortuary and
Coroner's Court.