ABSTRACT
Education needed to be extended if equality of opportunity was to be more than a phrase. By 1938, nearly two-thirds of all elementary schools had been reorganized and in that year the Spens Committee reported to the Board of Education on the evolving pattern of secondary education. Extensive consultations meant that in its final form the 1944 Education Act had the general support of all the interests concerned. Power to raise an education rate and borrow money was placed in the hands of the 146 county and county borough councils as the 'Local Education Authorities' (LEAs). This meant, with certain exceptions, that the large number of urban district councils was squeezed out of their educational role. Economic conditions in South Wales tempted Welsh Rugby Union players to 'go north' Rugby League never succeeded in Wales itself. In some Welsh valleys, the 'poacher' from the north of England was almost as unwelcome as Winston Churchill.
