§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was a follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the number of pupils in many schools whose parents are adherents of non-Christian faiths, whether any local education authorities have taken steps to provide pupils with an appreciation of non-Christian faiths, particularly in schools where a larger proportion of the pupils are non-Christian, in order both to gratify the non-Christian parents and also to acquaint nominally Christian pupils with the nature and moral values of the religious faiths of their fellow pupils.]
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, schools with significant numbers of pupils of non-Christian faiths are increasingly providing opportunities for all pupils to learn about each of the faiths represented in the school. This may be done both through curricular instruction and through joint or observed acts of worship. It is a trend which is well supported by local education authorities and which my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science would wish to encourage.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether she knows of any instances where these opportunities are provided. Further, would she not agree that it would be worth while to give some encouragement to local authorities to consider this matter sympathetically, particularly in view of the fact that in many schools a large proportion of the pupils do not know of 1060 the Christian faith, even though often they attend Christian services?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I accept my noble friend's comment that there are a number of children of non-Christian faith in schools at the moment, but I would remind him that this is primarily a matter for the schools, rather than for the local authority. Local authorities encourage this discussion and teaching through agreed syllabuses. The Inner London Education Authority is a good example, and it encourages the development of religious education along these lines.
THE LORD BISHOP OF CHICHESTERMy Lords, would the noble Baroness agree that, in view of the complexity as well as the importance of this matter, as opposed to what might be called the comparative religion at an early stage, there is need of a good deal more in-service training of teachers It is a complicated matter. Does not the noble Baroness think that this ought to be encouraged on a wider scale?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I agree with the right reverend Prelate, and I am sure that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science would also agree. Many noble Lords will know that the Education Committee of the British Council of Churches has set up a Working Party on this subject. The Schools' Council is also looking into this question and has made some splendid recommendations.
§ LORD SOMERSMy Lords, would not the noble Baroness agree that it is rather extraordinary that in a Christian country we should be paying so much attention to the education of non-Christian children (and may I say, in passing, that I by no means disagree with this?), but at the same time are giving no education in our schools to those of Christian faith?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I must at once refute what the noble Lord says; and I do not think he could have meant it as it sounded. We do give Christian instruction in our schools, and I am sure the noble Lord will agree that the example of the teachers is much more important than any precept which they could utter. The first principle of a Christian is surely to be liberal and tolerant.