§ Mr. Mellish99, 100 and 101. asked the Minister of Education (1) if he is aware of the financial difficulties facing the Catholic community of England and Wales in providing schools approved by his Department for 1960 to 1965, in spite of recent improvement in the State grant; and if he will make a statement on his proposals for assistance in this matter;
(2) if he is aware of the fact that, in the Southwark diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, a sum of nearly £5 million will be expected from the Catholics in that diocese to complete the 65W programme of new school building approved by local education authorities and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the steps he will take to reduce this burden;
(3) if he will consider the possibility of amending the Education Acts to enable denominational schools to be treated in England and Wales in the same way as they are dealt with in Scotland.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe Education Act, 1959, raised the rate of grant payable on voluntary school building from 50 to 75 per cent., and empowered me to pay grant on new secondary schools needed to match existing aided primary schools. This will be a substantial help to the Roman Catholic community. No further legislation is proposed.