§ 25. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Education if, in view of the fact that education of a secondary modern type is not available to Roman Catholic children who live at Ampleforth, arrangements can be made for such children to be educated at St. George's Roman Catholic School, York.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI understand that pending the building next year of a new secondary modern school at Ryedale facilities for education of a secondary modern type for senior children from Ampleforth have been made available at Helmsley. The local education authority are not prepared to send Ampleforth children to the Roman Catholic Secondary Modern School at York, since they consider the journey too long and tiring to enable such pupils to derive proper benefit from their education.
§ Mr. TurtonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Helmsley school is a Church of England school and that this attitude is really a denial of choice of education, bearing in mind the religious convictions of the parents and children?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am aware that it is a Church of England school, but I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's interpretation of this matter.
§ Mr. CobbWill my right hon. Friend follow the excellent example set by his late lamented Majesty King Henry VIII?
§ Mr. LipsonDid the local education authority assure the Minister that the views of the parents of these children were taken into account before they came to a decision?
§ Mr. TomlinsonNo, Sir, but I am assured that the local education authority, in the light of the Act, have made the provision that is necessary.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the difficulties arising in connection with the teaching of Catholic children, has the right hon. Gentleman considered the statement of the Catholic hierarchy, that they are proposing the nationalisation of Catholic schools?