HC Deb 12 March 1987 vol 112 cc448-9
2. Mr. Favell

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what role the churches play with the Government in seeking to promote good community relations in the Province.

Dr. Mawhinney

The churches are involved in various education and community work programmes for which they receive Government funding.

Mr. Favell

Will my hon. Friend ask the churches how we can unite the communities in Northern Ireland so long as the schoolchildren are segregated?

Dr. Mawhinney

The tradition of church schools is well established. It commands a degree of appreciation by people who live in Northern Ireland. The Government seek to run an education service which is, as far as possible, responsive to parents' wishes, subject, of course, to acceptable academic standards.

Mr. Stokes

Is my hon. Friend aware that the role of the churches in Northern Ireland, and, one would hope, of churches elsewhere in the United Kingdom and throughout the world, is far wider than merely to promote good community relations? Surely their job is to preach the gospel, administer the sacraments and to do all the things to make Christian communities.

Dr. Mawhinney

As a fellow member of the Synod, my hon. Friend will know that I entirely agree with him and share his views on that. Nevertheless, the churches also have a responsibility to contribute to good community relations. I hope that we can advance along that line, at least in terms of community work. The churches should be able to work together without any theological compromise.

Ms. Clare Short

Does the Minister agree that it confuses the debate to think that the problems of Northern Ireland arise from a difference about religion? Does he agree that it arises from a difference about who controls that statelet, the domination that they have over others and the widespread discrimination? Does the hon. Gentleman agree that it confuses the whole debate for people to suggest that all the trouble in Northern Ireland is because of different religious views?

Dr. Mawhinney

I know that the hon. Lady will understand when I say that I do not accept the designation of an integral part of the United Kingdom as a "statelet". I recognise, as does the hon. Lady, that a variety of pressures contribute to the difficulties in the Province. It would be hard to argue against the point that religion has had and continues to have a role to play as one of the factors. The Government have to bear that in mind in terms of seeking not only to endorse the principle of good community relations, but in seeking to advance that with, as far as possible, the co-operation of the people and organisations in the Province.

Mr. Leigh

Following the question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Mr. Favell), will my hon. Friend confirm that it is the inalienable right of everybody in this country of all faiths, or no faith, to educate his children in a denominational school of his choice?

Dr. Mawhinney

I think that I have essentially answered that question in the affirmative in the first reply that I gave.