§ 56. Mr. Loganasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the official statement, made by the leader of the Liverpool City Council, to the effect that no understanding exists between the council and the Board of Education on the grant question and that no grant from the rates of Liverpool for the building and furnishing of a sectarian school will ever be agreed to; and what further action he intends to take to make the Education Act, 1936, operative in Liverpool?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)The answer to the first part of the 371 question is in the affirmative. My Noble Friend has under close consideration the position which has developed in Liverpool, and I am unable to say more at present.
§ Mr. LoganIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the policy enunciated up to now is "No religion in the schools," which is contrary to the spirit of the Education Act of 1936, and are the Government prepared to repudiate that kind of statement which has been made in Liverpool and to take action to call a conference to save the ratepayers any further loss of grant in that city?
§ Mr. LindsayI cannot add anything to the answer that I have already given. I hardly think this is the exact moment for me to make a statement on the subject.
§ Mr. LoganIf I ask again in a fortnight's time, will the hon. Gentleman be in a position to give me an answer then?
§ Mr. LindsayI will try.