27A board may pay reasonable subscriptions, whether annually or otherwise, or contributions to the funds—
(a)of any association formed for the purpose of consultation as to the common interests of boards and the discussion of matters connected with the performance of functions of boards or similar services ;
(b)of associations of officers of boards or similar services, being associations formed for the purpose mentioned in the foregoing sub-paragraph,
and may make reasonable contributions for furthering research in matters with which boards and their officers are concerned.