HC Deb 18 May 1982 vol 24 cc175-6
3. Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department will undertake a survey of local authorities to establish how they are fulfilling their statutory obligation to provide for an act of corporate worship at morning assembly in schools.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Dr. Rhodes Boyson)

We have made it clear that local education authorities should keep their provision for religious education and the act of worship under review, bearing in mind the statutory requirements on these matters. We have at present no plans for a special survey of current practice, but we are always ready to receive representations about the act of worship.

Mr. Stanbrook

Is it true that the statutory obligation is now widely evaded? Is my hon. Friend aware that one school in my constituency—the aptly named Charles Darwin school at Biggin Hill—in its 10-year history has never provided a corporate act of worship at morning assembly, and that the headmaster tells me that he does not believe that hymns and prayers are any longer relevant? If the council will do nothing about this, what does my hon. Friend suggest that the parents should do?

Dr. Boyson

Section 25(1) of the 1944 Act plainly states that the school day in every county school and in every voluntary school shall begin with collective worship on the part of all pupils in attendance at the school, subject to the exemption of pupils whose parents do not want them to attend.

There are between 20,000 and 25,000 schools in this country, but the Department receives no more than six complaints per year. If my hon. Friend will write with details of the case, we shall take it up with the local authority, because these matters should be dealt with initially at local level. If that is not successful, we shall have to deal with it at our level.

Mr. Marks

Would not the matter be taken more seriously if the Parliament that insists on such corporate acts of worship had more than a 2 per cent. attendance at its own corporate acts of worship?

Dr. Boyson

I take the hon. Gentleman's point. However, such attendance is not compulsory here. Moreover, I am sure that if our worship were held in the early morning, as it is in schools, there would be a full attendance.

Mr. Beith

If the hon. Gentleman takes such a properly firm line on this, why has the Government's response to the Select Committee been so vague and wishy-washy?

Dr. Boyson

The Government have said repeatedly that the 1944 Act should be enforced, with the teaching of religious education in schools and the statutory assembly at the beginning of the day. We have also said that if complaints are made to us that that is not being done, we shall certainly look into them.