§ 14. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent it is the policy of his Department to secure that facilities for religious worship are provided in universities; and what steps he is taking to ensure that such facilities are provided in the universities now under construction.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mr. Goronwy Roberts)It is not the policy of the Department to intervene in this matter, which is for the universities themselves.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs it not important where there are large numbers of young people in areas sometimes away from centres of population that there should be such facilities? Will the hon. Gentleman discuss this informally with the University Grants Committee?
§ Mr. RobertsI think that a great deal is done already. Most university courts, if not all, have members of the various religious denominations serving on them. I understand that ministers of religion are given every opportunity and encouragement by our universities to exercise pastoral care.
§ Mr. Grant-FerrisIf expense is important, as I suspect it is, will the Minister of State ask people to have a look at what happens at London Airport, where various denominations use the same buildings? Could not this be applied to universities?
§ Mr. RobertsThis is the practice in some universities. Universities generally prefer that buildings for this purpose should be financed from private benefaction rather than from public funds.