§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has any plans to seek to amend the religious education provisions of the Education Act 1944: and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsI have repeatedly made clear that I have no plans at present to change the law in this respect. While I would like to see the law reflect the current need for schools to provide religious education rather than religious instruction, most agreed syllabuses already reflect this change of emphasis. I am sure that the study of Christianity must continue to occupy a major part of such syllabuses, but religious education can also help to prepare children for life in a multi-faith society. It should continue to be a compulsory subject in the curriculum.