HC Deb 04 December 1941 vol 376 cc1246-7
40. Mr. Sorensen

asked the President of the Board of Education what will be the approximate cost of the proposed courses of instruction in religious knowledge for teachers and others; what lecturers in theology will be appointed for this purpose and by whom; whether the syllabus of these courses and any examination or certificate papers will be available to Members of the House; whether he has consulted others than denominational leaders; and whether facilities and financial assistance will be given by the Board for courses in instruction in all forms of religious or ethical teaching and not solely to the Church of England?

The President of the Board of Education (Mr. Butler)

The expenditure of the Board of Education in the next financial year on courses of instruction on religious knowledge, for which they will be responsible, may be estimated at about £1,500. The expenditure which local education authorities may incur in providing similar courses cannot at present be estimated. Lecturers for these courses will be appointed by the body responsible for the conduct of the courses. I shall be happy to arrange that the syllabus of any course organised by the Board shall be available to Members of the House if they so desire. There is no question of examination or certificate papers. There has been no consultation with denominational leaders with reference to these courses, but, as I informed the hon. Member on 27th November, my Department have conferred with the Institute of Christian Education, at least 75 per cent. of whose members are teachers. No facilities, or financial assistance, will be granted by the Board to courses which are designed to teach the formularies of the Church of England or of any other denomination.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the Minister realise that a certain amount of apprehension exists with regard to this departure and that no religious teaching can be given without some kind of theological background? Can he give an assurance that in the matter of religious instruction there will be an opportunity for doctrines other than that of the Church of England to be taught?

Mr. Butler

I should not have thought that any initiative was taken with greater care than this, which has so far received widespread approval. But I will pay due attention to the observations of the hon. Gentleman. The reason I gave such a detailed answer was in order to give the public and those interested every fact in my possession to show them that we are trying to do this thing in the right way.