§ 13. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Education how many new or reconstructed denominational schools have been opened during the past year; for what denominations; how many agreed plans for each denomination provide for new or reconstructed schools during the next five years; and if the financial arrangements in respect of those schools are working satisfactorily.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe answer to the first and second parts of the Question is 66, of which 52 are Roman Catholic, 9 Church of England and 5 of other denominations. The building programmes for the three years 1960–63, which are the latest so far settled, contain 406 voluntary schools of which 290 are Roman Catholic, 106 Church of England and 10 of other denominations. The financial arrangements introduced by the Education Act, 1959, are working satisfactorily.
§ Mr. SorensenWhat does the Minister mean by "other denominations"? Will he specify them and indicate whether some of the smaller denominations are now being stimulated into building schools which otherwise would not have been built? Is there any sign of an increasing demand that public money granted for this purpose shall amount to 100 per cent.?
§ Sir D. EcclesI am always anxious that the other denominations should get their share. I think that it is fair to say that the present grant arrangements are working satisfactorily.
§ Mr. SorensenWhat are the other denominations?