§ 9. Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many schools in the secondary sector are integrated; and what proportion of the secondary school population this represents.
§ Mr. CarterIt is known that several schools are attended by pupils of both the main religious denominations, but the Department of Education for Northern Ireland does not collect statistics of the numbers of pupils enrolled at schools according to their religious denominations. No schools have yet applied for controlled integrated status under the Education (Northern Ireland) Act 1978, but it is really too early to expect this to have happened. The Department of Education only recently issued a circular to schools, school authorities and other interested bodies drawing attention to the Act's provisions.
§ Mr. FreudUntil there is an increase in integrated schools, will the Minister seek to encourage the pupils of sectarian schools to join together in certain academic classes, as is the case in neighbouring schools in this country? Will he bear in mind that, until there are integrated schools, there is little hope of ending the ghetto development in the communities?
§ Mr. CarterWe shall certainly not attempt any artificial integration, in the academic levels or elsewhere. This is an education matter and it has nothing to do with questions of sectarianism or integration. On the general question of integration, we have made it quite clear as a Government, and my noble Friend has made it quite clear, that this is a matter for the community itself to decide.
§ Mr. LeeIs not the whole miserable business of segregated education in Northern Ireland about the best argument that one could ever produce for the total abolition of religious education?
§ Mr. CraigDoes the Minister agree that segregated education tends to make people live in separate areas, and that this is not good enough for the community spirit?
§ Mr. CarterThat is so obviously true that I do not really know how I can reply to it.