HL Deb 03 February 1998 vol 585 cc499-500

Lord Taylor of Gryfe asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received representations on the question of segregation of children attending pre-school education in Scotland.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel)

My Lords, we have received no formal representations on the question of segregation of children attending pre-school education in Scotland.

Lord Taylor of Gryfe

My Lords, does the Minister agree that, while he has had no formal representations made to him, the view has been expressed by the leaders of the Catholic Church in Scotland that nursery school children in the three-to-five age group should be segregated wherever possible? Will the Minister agree that if such representations are received, the Government will oppose segregation of children of that age group? Will he also agree that such a step would not only be expensive, but in Scotland it would be socially divisive also?

Lord Sewel

My Lords, I can reply briefly to that point by repeating the comments made by my honourable friend the Minister for Education and Industry, Mr. Brian Wilson, who said that the Government do not believe it to be appropriate to organise pre-school education along denominational lines.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

My Lords, is the Minister aware that I am pleased to hear that response? It would be a considerable error if we segregated nursery education in Scotland. Speaking for myself, I feel that it is time we thought seriously about ending segregation further up the school system. Is the Minister aware that that would be particularly helpful to Glasgow City Council, who, at the moment, are having to rationalise their school estate and are faced with having to close schools in deprived areas rather than amalgamate denominational and non-denominational and thus keep open schools in certain deprived areas?

Lord Sewel

My Lords, denominational schools, as opposed to pre-school education, are part of the historic settlement of 1918 which established a pluralistic form of school education in Scotland where parents can exercise choice. How they exercise that choice is a matter for them to decide. The Government have no plans to alter the statutory framework. Where the amalgamation of denominational and non-denominational schools can be brought about as a process of consultation and agreement, it is to be welcomed.

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