§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many agreed syllabi for religious education have been drawn up as laid down, by Section 29(1) of and Schedule 5 to the Education Act 1944; and how many have been reconsidered as provided for in that section.
§ Mr. ArmstrongLocal education authorities are not required to report the adoption or revision of an agreed syllabus of religious instruction to my right hon. Friend. From information available to the Department it appears that many authorities have adopted, under the procedure provided in the Education Act 1944, one of the small number of syllabuses drawn up during the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, because the agreed syllabus for religious education, unanimously adopted by a conference constituted under Schedule 5 to the Education Act 1944, has not been adopted by the Birmingham Education Authority, he will use his powers under Schedule 5(10) to the Education Act 1944 to appoint another conference 249W of like representative character as laid down in the schedule.
§ Mr. ArmstrongNo. This matter is still one for consideration by the Birmingham, local education authority and the conference which it has convened under the provisions of the Fifth Schedule to the Education Act 1944, and circumstances have not so far arisen in which my right hon. Friend is called upon to use his powers under paragraph 10 of that schedule.