§ Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance he has given to education authorities regarding a communication on Islamic syllabuses addressed to them by the Union of Muslim Organisations of United Kingdom and Eire, a copy of which has been sent to him, stating that the number of Muslim children under tuition in local education authority schools will obviously increase with the passage of time.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy right hon. Friend does not consider it necessary to give local education authorities any guidance about this communication. They are well aware of examination syllabus procedures and of the requirements of the Education Act 1944 for the establishment of local conferences to prepare syllabuses of religious instruction.