§ 24. Mr. A. SOMERVILLE (for Captain CROOKSHANK)asked the President of the Board of Education if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding his conversations with representatives of the Church of England and of the Roman Catholic Church on the subject of raising the school age?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANYes, Sir; I am happy to be able to inform the House that the conversations which I have had with representatives of the Churches, the local authorities, and the teachers, have been animated throughout by a spirit of good will on all sides, and that, as a result, a considerable measure of agreement appears to be obtainable. I propose within the next few days to issue a White Paper indicating the special circumstances which have led His Majesty's Government to take up this question at the present time and the proposals which seem to them to be most likely to obtain general acceptance.
§ Mr. HARRISWould legislation be involved in order to alter the present law in any way?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANYes, legislation would be involved.
§ Mr. BRACKENAre the special circumstances the Roman Catholic vote?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether these conversations have been directed to the further provision of public money without public control in schools, and, further, are they concerned with the revival of tests?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANI think my hon. Friend had better wait until he sees the White Paper, and then he will see exactly what has been done.
§ Mr. KNIGHTAre we to understand that the matters to which I have referred are not included in the White Paper. If 3075 they are, why does not my right hon. Friend deal with them now?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANIf I were to give a piecemeal account of what I have done, an entirely wrong impression would be created.
§ Mr. A. SOMERVILLEIs it not a very happy circumstance that such a degree of agreement has been arrived at?