§ Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about his proposed inquiry into moral and religious education.
§ Mr. RossIn response to representations about the need for an inquiry, and after consultation with the local authority associations. I have appointed a committee on this subject. It terms of reference are
Within the existing framework of the statutory provisions governing the obligation to continue religious instruction, the responsibility for its content and the question of inspection, to review the current practice of Scottish schools (other than Roman Catholic schools) with regard to moral and religious education and to make recommendations for its improvement".I am very glad that Professor W. Malcolm Millar of the Department of Mental Health in the University of Aberdeen has agreed to act as chairman of the committee. The members of the committee include teachers in primary and secondary schools, Ministers, lecturers in religious education, and a number of other people with experience of social work and interest in the welfare of young people.
279WThe terms of reference exclude consideration of any change in the existing statutory provisions under which responsibility for, and control over, the religious education provided in schools rests with education authorities and not with me.