shall consider the educational needs of their area and take such steps
as seem to them desirable, after consultation with the Board of
Education, to supply or aid the supply of education other than
elementary, and to promote the general co-ordination of all forms of
education." For this purpose the application of the money received by
the local authority under the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Act
1890, heretofore optional, is made compulsory, and power is given to
levy a rate which in the case of a county is not to exceed two pence
in the pound, or such higher rate as the county council with the
consent of the Local Government Board may fix (S 2). Concurrent powers
are given to the councils of non-county boroughs and urban districts,
with the limit of a penny rate (S 3). A council must not require any
particular form of religious instruction or observance, but the usual
conscience clause in schools, colleges, or hostels provided by the
council is modified by a provision for facilities for any particular
religious instruction to be given at the request of parents of
scholars at such times and under such conditions as the council think
desirable, otherwise than at the cost of the council (S 4).