§ 4. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that the London education authority has just advertised a post in the Drury Lane industrial school which is to be held by a Roman Catholic teacher 1018 only; whether he was consulted before this action was taken; and whether any notice has been, or will be, taken of attempts to impose tests for teachers in rate-built and publicly-managed schools?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Section 66 of the Children Act prescribes that children committed to certified schools shall, where practicable, be sent to a school conducted in accordance with the religious persuasion to which they belong, and that in all cases provision shall be made for their receiving religious instruction accordingly. There is a considerable number of Roman Catholic children at the Drury Lane school, and it has been the custom to have a Roman Catholic teacher on the staff with the object of giving effect to the law. The appointment of teachers at this school is a matter for the London education authority.