§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many letters of(a) support and (b) opposition she has had to the Government's proposal for faith-based schools. [27023]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Departmental team dealing with faith schools has received 340 letters since publication of the Government's proposals in the White Paper. Of those,(a) five supported an increase in faith schools and (b) 335 were opposed. In the main, the letters of opposition were objecting to faith schools in principle.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what response she has had from(a) the Church of England, (b) the Roman Catholic Church, (c) the non-conformist churches, (d) the Muslim community, (e) the Hindu community and (f) other faiths to the Government's proposal for faith-based schools. [27022]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Government's proposal for faith-based schools was part of the White Paper, "Schools: achieving success", on which the churches and faith groups were consulted. Ministers and officials continue to hold meetings with them to listen to views on the implementation of the White Paper proposals and related matters.
A copy of the Interim Report on the White Paper consultation has been placed in the Library and the full report will be published in due course.