HC Deb 18 June 1936 vol 313 cc1162-3
37. Mr. THURTLE

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in certain provided schools in Leicestershire cooking or handicraft rooms are being used for the instruction of children of Church of England parents in the Catechism and the Prayer Book; and whether such instruction given in such circumstances has the approval of his Department?

Mr. STANLEY

I have no knowledge of the arrangements to which the hon. Member refers. The Board's approval is not required for such arrangements.

Mr. THURTLE

Is this not a breach of the Cowper-Temple Clause, which prohibits the teaching of sectarianism in public schools?

Mr. STANLEY

It is possible to have arrangements of this character which do not conflict with the Cowper-Temple Clause. If the hon. Member is interested, he will find the position fully set out in a letter sent to the Dorset authorities in October, 1928, and in a subsequent letter to the West Riding authorities in the following year. I shall be very glad to send the hon. Gentleman a copy of that correspondence setting out the facts.