HC Deb 18 December 1958 vol 597 cc1290-1
13. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Minister of Education what recent request he has received from the Church Assembly for an immediate increase in the grant for grant-aided schools from 50 to 75 per cent.; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Sir E. Boyle

The Church Assembly has asked for an increase to 75 per cent. in the rate of grant. The hon. Member will see from the White Paper which was published recently that my right hon. Friend is proposing to discuss with the parties concerned the possibility of more help for church schools.

Mr. Fletcher

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that this is a serious and pressing problem? Can he hold out some hope that a satisfactory solution which is agreeable to all the interests concerned will be reached at an early date?

Sir E. Boyle

I cannot give an undertaking to the hon. Gentleman about a date, but I can say that the parties with whom my right hon. Friend is proposing to discuss this question are representatives of the Churches, of local authorities and of the teaching profession as well. The Government are also inviting the other political parties to consult with them. In that respect, they are following the pattern of what happened before the 1944 Act.

Mr. Mellish

Would the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that one of the biggest anomalies is that there is no grant at all for grammar schools or technical schools. This is an anomaly which I do not think anyone could defend.

Sir E. Boyle

This is a big and, if I may say so, a somewhat treacherous subject, and I think the hon. Member will agree that it goes somewhat beyond the scope of the Question; but we have the subject in mind.