CHAPTER FIVE - WORK FOR THE LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL

Abstract

This chapter discusses work for the London county council. With the passing of the Technical Education Act in 1889, local authorities were given the power to levy a penny rate to aid technical or manual instruction; but they showed no enthusiasm for it, despite increasing pressure from such bodies as The National Association for the Promotion of Technical Education. Among the most backward was London County Council (LCC) that refused to do anything until money became available, which was not a charge on the rates. It was eventually through the opportunism of Arthur Acland MP, then chairman of the Association, that the finance finally became available and in a somewhat comical fashion. Even then, the LCC was not stirred to action until after the second council was elected in 1892. Then at last, on the proposal of two councilors, a special committee of enquiry into technical education was set up. The LCC set up a powerful and largely independent body, the Technical Education Board. It consisted of 20 councilors and 15 other members, who represented the London Schools Board, the City and Guilds Institute, the City Parochial Trustees, the London Trades Council, the Headmasters' Association, and the National Union of Teachers.