§ 55. Mr. THURTLEasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is seeing that the representatives of the 596 Free Churches are being given an adequate opportunity of representing their views to him regarding the question of religious education in schools?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANYes, Sir.
§ Mr. THURTLEWho are speaking in the name of the Free Churches; and is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that they command the confidence of Free Church opinion?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANI am confident that I can find what Free Church opinion is from discussions with those with whom I am in communication.
§ Mr. THURTLEWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the other part of my question. Who are speaking in the name of the Free Churches?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANNo, Sir; I think it is desirable, when conversations of this sort are going on, that they should be kept confidential until a certain stage has been reached.
§ Mr. HARRISIs the right hon. Gentleman also discussing the matter with the teachers?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANYes, Sir.
§ 56. Mr. THURTLEasked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that the Rationalist Press Association and the Secular Education League represent the point of view of a large and increasing number of parents in regard to the question of religious education in schools, he will give these organisations an opportunity of participating in any consultations which may take place on this subject?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANIf these associations make any representations to me on the question referred to, it will be my duty to consider them.
§ Mr. SEXTONCan the right hon. Gentleman see any difference between the expenditure of public money on religious training, and the expenditure of money out of local rates on the teaching of birth control?