Anti-Semitism (Hansard, 28 March 1994)

§ The Minister of State, Department for Education (Baroness Blatch)
My Lords, the Government share the commission's view that racism and anti-semitism are serious issues. The Government have pursued a range of measures in support of racial harmony, including action on initial and in-service teacher training; the provision of opportunities within the national and basic curriculum; and the development of model syllabuses for religious education in consultation with representatives and leaders of various faith communities including Judaism. Those are all areas included in the commission's recommendations.

§ Baroness Perry of Southwark
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that helpful and sympathetic Answer. However, does she agree that the report by the commission, of which I was a member and which was chaired by the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Oxford, demonstrates how sensitive and complex are the issues involved in teaching the Jewish religion? Can she offer help to teachers who must deal with those issues, many of whom have no knowledge or training in that subject?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I can give assurances that the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority will take those anxieties into account when drawing up 829 religious education syllabuses and when working with the leaders and representatives of faith groups. I can say also that current aspects of Jewish history—for example, the history of the Holocaust—will be dealt with through the national curriculum. It is important that integrity is sustained throughout all those areas. Grants for education support and training will fund the training of teachers so that they are more comfortable with the subject and better informed about it.

§ Lord Judd
My Lords, does the Minister agree that now we are living so demonstrably in a multi-ethnic society a tremendous challenge faces the whole educational system in preparing our young people to make a positive success of a nation which is so rich in variety? In that respect, can the Minister say more about her plans for religious education as distinct from teaching religion so that children understand each other's different faiths and approach multi-culturalism in a positive frame of mind?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, all the information about religious education has been circulated for consultation. I do not believe that the time allocated to me for the Question permits me to give a full answer. The noble Lord is well aware of the documents that are in the public domain at the moment. However, he is absolutely right: it is a challenge. One of the reasons why the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority is working so hard is that there has been rather a woolly approach to multi-cultural education in this country. It is not a great melting pot. It is important to retain and sustain the integrity of each faith group. That is the objective of the work being carried out by the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

§ The Lord Bishop of Oxford
My Lords, as the noble Baroness mentioned me by name, I feel that I must declare an interest in the Question as I had the privilege to chair the working party which produced the report on anti-semitism. The working group consisted of Moslems, as well as Jews and Christians. Sadly, from an historical point of view, the Churches have to admit that they must bear a fair share of responsibility for anti-Judaic teaching. However, in recent decades, a great deal of good work has been done to correct the errors of the past and much of that work is summarised in a pamphlet entitled, A Fresh Way of Thinking: Guidance for the right teaching of Christianity in relation to Judaism, which is to be published later this month. Is the Minister willing to make the availability of that pamphlet known to teachers of religious education in schools? It would help teachers as well as preachers to avoid some of the worst pitfalls.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, without having had sight or sound of the document which the right reverend Prelate is offering to me, it is difficult for me to answer that question. However, if it is at all helpful, I can tell him that we have a mechanism for making schools aware of such documents through a publication called Schools Update which goes to schools and deals with all 830 matters of education. We could certainly use that vehicle for bringing the pamphlet to the attention of teachers.

§ Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone
My Lords, is not the real message to be given in respect of anti-semitism that it is not merely unpleasant and sinister, but that it is also factually false and not to be believed in by any sensible and intelligent human being?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble and learned friend. It is absolutely true that accuracy is important. There has been too much interpretation both as regards history and multi-racial education. I believe that we should make every effort to ensure that we help our teachers to be more accurate and objective in handling this very sensitive issue.

§ Lord Lester of Herne Hill
My Lords, I should also like to declare an interest as I am a Runnymede trustee. Will the Minister bear in mind another Runnymede publication, the Equality Assurance report, published last year, which, far from being woolly, was a practical guide to teachers on how to combat religious and racial prejudice in our plural, multi-cultural society?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I take note of the noble Lord's remarks. I shall certainly make it my business to read the report. Again, if we find it useful, it can form part of the bank of literature designed to help teachers.