(1)Without prejudice to any powers exercisable under section thirty-seven of the [52 & 53 Vict. c. 63.] Interpretation Act, 1889, the Minister may exercise, and may authorise or require any local education authority, former authority, or other person or body of persons, to exercise during the period before the date on which Part II of this Act comes into operation any functions, which will, on or after that date, become exercisable by him or them under any provision of this Act, in so far as the exercise of those functions during that period is, in his opinion, necessary or expedient for securing that that Part may be brought into operation without delay or for preventing difficulties in the operation of that Part after the date aforesaid.
(2)The Minister shall, in exercise of the power conferred by the last foregoing subsection, constitute any joint education boards and secure the constitution of any education committees and sub-committees and of any divisional executives which are, in his opinion, essential for the initial operation of the said Part II.
(3)If the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary to make an order under this subsection by reason of time being required after the commencement of the said Part II for enabling adequate provision to be made for a supply of teachers or of school accommodation sufficient to meet the needs of children between the ages of fourteen and fifteen years, he may by order direct that, while the order remains in force, section thirty-five of this Act shall have effect as if for references therein to fifteen there were substituted references to fourteen and section forty-three of this Act shall have effect as if for the reference therein to the date of the commencement of the said Part II there were substituted a reference to the date of the expiry of the order:
Provided that, if any order made under this subsection is still in operation at the expiration of the period of two years after the commencement of the said Part II, the order shall then cease to have effect.