Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the progress of discussions on financial aid for Church schools.
§ Mr. PrenticeRepresentatives of the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Free Churches have represented to both my predecessor and myself that the financial difficulties facing them at the present time were preventing them from playing the part in the public system of education that both they and the Government would wish them to do. In the light of these representations the Government have decided to raise the rate of grant payable on building work at aided and special agreement schools from 80 per cent. to 85 per cent. The Government will give high priority to the introduction of the necessary legislation. I believe that this decision will be widely128W welcomed on both sides of this House. I think it right to add that the important rights which the Churches have in running the aided schools depend on the principle of a voluntary contribution towards the cost; I hope that this further measure of financial assistance, at a time of economic stringency, will provide a durable basis for the continuation of the dual system.