HC Deb 18 May 1950 vol 475 c1368
12. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of State-provided schools have no religious education.

Mr. Tomlinson

I assume that the hon. Member refers to county schools, that is, schools established by local education authorities. No schools are provided directly by my Department. In county schools, as in voluntary schools, Section 25 of the 1944 Education Act requires that the school day shall begin with collective worship and that religious instruction shall be given.

Sir W. Smithers

May I ask the Minister whether, in accordance with his recent public announcement; he will make religious education a first priority in his policy?

Mr. George Thomas

Is my right hon. Friend not satisfied that the great advance which has taken place in religious education since the day when the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) went to school is producing a more enlightened type of citizen?

Sir W. Smithers

On a point of Order. Can you not, Mr. Speaker, do anything to suppress these doubting Thomases?

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