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Catalogue Reference:CAB/24/197
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(THIS DOCUMENT I S THE PBOPE5TY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SOVEBHMMg) ,
SEC
CP.
n n .
276
(28).
Jj.
COPY NO.
C A B I N E T .
CHURCH
SCHOOLS.
MEMORANDUM BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
The q u e s t i o n o f
Churoh S c h o o l s has r e c e n t l y
up a g a i n i n a form w h i c h s h o u l d ,
the
I
think,
"be c o n s i d e r e d "by
Cabinet.
In F e b r u a r y ,
the
Cabinet
discussions
deadlock
obvious
(CP.
1927,
45/27)
in regard to
I
circulated
describing
the
a memorandum
course o f
an E n a b l i n g B i l l
that
these
discussions
view
taken,
generally
I
a report
until
after
the
Unfortunately,
the bishops
and l e a d i n g
The p r o b l e m o f
offered
more
think,
by r e s p o n s i b l e
Teaching
seemed
be
do n o t
people
the
the
in
Archbishop s
l
contemplate
issuing
Election.
this
view
clergy
of
Roman C a t h o l i c
i s not
the
s h a r e d b y some
Roman C a t h o l i c
s c h o o l s has
throughout
schools.
The C a t h o l i c E d u c a t i o n C o u n c i l w h o , u n d e r t h e
Bishops,
the
the
idoa of
certain
Church i n t h i s
education
Catholic schools
Bill.
national
matter,
an E n a b l i n g B i l l ,
local
would refuse
than that
are p a r t i c u l a r l y
t o make use o f
They h a v e t h e r e f o r e
settlement,
arrived
1
have n e v e r
accepted
because they b e l i e v e
authorities,
strong,
insisted
at
that
i n whose a r e a s
the powers
of
Church.
of Anglican
represent
difficulty
It
This has been
Church o f E n g l a n d and I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t
Commission on R e l i g i o u s
temporary
could not u s e f u l l y
the Goneral E l e c t i o n .
to
the
and t h e
I n w h i c h t h o s e d i s c u s s i o n s ' had. e n d e d .
renewed b e f o r e
the
cone
notably
Roman
Manchester,
c o n f e r r e d b y suoh a
on t h e n e c e s s i t y
by n a t i o n a l
^
^
of
a
negotiations.
^
^
^
m
m
^
^
'
When t h e
policy
Cabinet
in
regard to
understanding
religious
an E n a b l i n g
that
the p o s i t i o n
of
the
Bill,
Government
negotiating
informal
or the
increasingly
terms
tion
as t o
of
Catholics H i e r a r c h y ,
but
it
Catholics
appendix,
Council has,
Bill
in
building
this
of
Bill
formally
but
question of
Church s c h o o l s .
on t h e
subject
that
the
parties.
question
the present
we a r e a t
of
This
is
not
many a r e a s
law.
present
elementary
there
schools
only
a considerable
in the
case
gone
coming
election.
drafted
in aid
of
yet
a
form
the
communicated
a p p r o a c h e d me
of
the present
do so by some o f
their
wish,
if
law;
members
my
undertake n e g o t i a t i o n s with
the
It
hope
is
is
therefore
only
t o o much t o
shelved u n t i l
a strong
case f o r
t h e most
junior
economy,
the loan
of voluntary
the
charges
summer.
some amendment
anomaly,
reorganisation
and s e n i o r
improvement
next
obvious
in a comprehensive
an e d u c a t i o n a l
than c o u n t e r - b a l a n c i n g
But
into
copy
a c u t e and d a n g e r o u s
an amendment
To t a k e
engaged
a
considera­
they yet
can b e e n t i r e l y
On m e r i t s ,
of
to
The
the
B i s h o p s , who, m o r e o v e r ,
unfavourable,
other p o l i t i c a l
to
They have not
being pressed to
and b y some o f t h e
is
of
Education
becoming
I bolieve,
grants
t o me, n o r i n d e e d h a v e
they are
answer
Government
but
and t h e y h a v e
declaration
i t s most
is
in
national
position.
in connection with the
which w o u l d r a i s e
any
on t h e s u b j e c t ,
The C a t h o l i c E d u c a t i o n
the whole
with
Catholic
recommend t h i s
distinct
avoided anything
to maintain this
of
be p l a c e d
the
be found i n the
line
was on t h e
directly
H i e r a r c h y has i s s u e d a D e c l a r a t i o n
so f a r
it
discussions with
difficult
o f which w i l l
a certain
should not
body and I h a v e t h e r e f o r e
t h e most
Council
a u t h o r i s e d me t o p u r s u e
schools.
but
saving
on new
s c h o o l s under t h e
also
in
in s t a f f
more
buildings.
existing
law,
the
loan
charges
economy in s t a f f i n g
local
authority
reorganising
fall
accrues
their
that
this
had i n mind a t w o f o l d
to
place,
second p l a c e ,
The e x i s t i n g
and g r a n t s
schools
and o t h e r
of
would g i v e
in regard
line
"elementary"
and " h i g h e r "
education
different
of
types
school.
and i t
schools,
so long,- at
as
minimum c o n d i t i o n s .
such a d e f i n i t i o n
its
own m e r i t s ,
disabilities
of
education f o r
school
less
life.
likely
revision
are
to
is
real
of
higher,
between
an a r t i f i c i a l
distinctions
about
to
eleven
define
education
satisfies
An amendment
last
schools,
three
between
is
t h e y w e r e put
of
the
"higher"
after
law
years
so f a r
that
embodying
popular
remove
as
o r so o f
forward
out
of
as p a r t
date.
I
on
the
concerns
compulsory^
t h e E d u c a t i o n A c t , many o f whose
becoming i n c r e a s i n g l y
to
as
O p p o s i t i o n t o t h e s e p r o p o s a l s w o u l d be
if
one
certain
would a u t o m a t i c a l l y
voluntary
the
to
w o u l d p r o b a b l y be p o s i t i v e l y
and i t
teaching
t h e s c h o o l s now known as
covering a l l
as i t
the
change.
The t e n d e n c y nowadays
includes
any r a t e ,
In
demarcation
would be n a t u r a l
e d u c a t i o n , which a l r e a d y
age,
of
bodies
denominational
e d u c a t i o n from t h e age o f
"secondary",
In
religious
and n o t
elementary,
The e x i s t i n g
secondary
to
only
and l e s s
law.
local
a more f u n d a m e n t a l
of
less
long
up-to-date.
p u b l i c money i n a i d
and c o r r e s p o n d s
in
I have
assisting voluntary
schools
contemplate
to
The
spend
the present
education.
regard a l l
them t o
difficulties,
an E n a b l i n g B i l l
restrictions
apply
authority.
voluntary bodies
amendment o f
elementary
I
of
local
the
purpose.
g e n e r a l powers
bring t h e i r
the
schools nor require
for
To meet
authorities
to
can n e i t h e r a s s i s t
money t h e m s e l v e s
the f i r s t
on t h e v o l u n t a r y body w h i l e
of
a
the
general
provisions
am now w o r k i n g
1 ^ t)
on p r o p o s a l s
the
Cabinet
for
in
such a r e v i s i o n ,
due
in fact
give
I hope t o
on t h e s e
lines,
however, while
great
relief
to voluntary
w o u l d b o w e l c o m e d by a l l
those,
both
A n g l i c a n , who h a v e r e a l k n o w l e d g e
would not
at f i r s t
generally.
idea
of
present
As
local
come t o
the
have h i s
Is
they
oven l e s s
junior
of
difficulty
of
school,
it
priests,
and t o
a large
from
i m p r e s s e d by t h e
children
the
local
and
to
announcement
the
opinion,
to
and
education
tendency
is
The
of
so
parish
dislike
the
any
older
This
already beginning
to the
Schools.
to.be
older
But,
for
i n an e l e c t i o n programme o f
which,
in
less
for
bitterly
l a w b a s e d upon t h e
content w i t h nothing
is
f o r many Roman
improved education g i v e n
of
may be
another.
down,
body
of
parish
This
removal
o p t i o n and r e - o r g a n i s a t i o n
Roman C a t h o l i c
w o u l d be
die
are probably
p r o p o s e d amendment
it
flocks,
In the r e - o r g a n i s e d ' Council
t h e moment,
of
the
school
eventually
parents
Catholic
schools.
their
of
H e r e we
since nothing
o f small
involves
idea
ambition
a school.
the
the
the only voluntary
however small
extent
one p a r i s h
opposition w i l l
Catholic
Roman
may b e t o p r o v i d e p r o p e r
staffing
r e - o r g a n i s a t i o n which
children
the
s u p p o r t e d by t h e h i e r a r c h y
as t h e
Catholics
and a t
Roman C a t h o l i c
c h i l d r e n i n so small
and
problems,
a t t r a c t e d by the
The f i r s t
opposed by the L o c a l A u t h o r i t i e s ,
expensive
Roman
and
are not a t t r a c t e d by
aro
a newly formed
impossible
generally
educational
and s e n i o r s c h o o l s .
new s c h o o l s .
own p a r i s h
older
Roman C a t h o l i c
be popular w i t h
The Roman C a t h o l i c s
who a r e b u i l d i n g
the
are
into
special
every p r i e s t
of
it
schools
o p t i o n u n d e r an E n a b l i n g B i l l ,
moment t h e y
problem.
however
sight
I have s a i d ,
re-organisation
put-before
course.
legislation
would
which
would not
its
present
two
principles
concilitate
temper,
than a d i r e c t
a
repeal
of
the
clause
I n the Education Act which
parliamentary
Grants
denominational
It
this
is
would,
I
of
the
"elementary"
idea
be q u i t e
law,
of
session
of
o f .1931,
In these
it
influential
in this
the hierarchy
leaders
of
to
the
arguments
take
those prospeetD
persuasion w i l l
good i n t e n t i o n s
concessions
the
A
not,
parliamentary
seem t o be a g a i n s t
our o n l y p o s s i b l e
the
its
cou.rse
most
and
not
if
of
t h a t w h a t e v e r may be
the
denominational
of
a general
he e a s y but i t
we can g i v e
is
not,
some e a r n e s t
to voluntary schools within
t o propose
t o the
by
The
I
think,
of
our
expensive
our p r e s e n t
Chancellor
the
schools
eleotion.
b y one or two m i n o r and n o t v e r y
w h i c h I may he a b l e
were
could
c o u l d o n l y be p r e j u d i c e d
atmosphere
especially
it
the same v i o w as has b e e n t a k e n by­
question,
impossible,
If
the C a t h o l i c Education Council
o f a new s e t t l e m e n t
task of
different
settlement.
endeavour t o persuade
Church o f England.:
in the
flank
programme.
prospects
discussion
policy
on t h a t
circumstances,
members o f
they
general
turn the
w o u l d be a v e r y
be u n d e r t a k e n b e f o r e
would appear t o bo t o
and
of
the Education Act probably
i n an e 3 . o c t i o n
already
e d u c a t i o n which would be
but
and a l l
ox
might
in a
a re-definition
acquiesce
reasons,
it
hare
to- a c q u i e s c e
sound and would. I n c i d e n t a l l y
revision
inclusion
a programme
an E n a b l i n g B i l l
ready
including
ask them t o
for various
if
The l a t t e r
p u t f o r w a r d as a f r o n t a l , a t t a c k
general
of
Eoman C a t h o l i c s ,
Churchmen.
1S02 s e t t l e m e n t ;
thing to
building
add t h a t ,
conciliate
and " h i g h e r "
educationally
the
to
a c c e p t e d the
believe,
revision
of
needless
alarm Froe
practically
the
schools.
kind would not
seriously
in a i d o f
forbids
of
powers
the
u
Exchequer,
but
to
which
commit h i m s e l f
at
the
action w i l l
with
the
while
I
authorities
do n o t
of
do n o t ,
present
ask t h e
on t h e
the
of
of
But t h i s
line
discussion
t h e Roman C a t h o l i c
Church and
subject,
situation
I
at
this
stage
tc take
w i s h them t o be
v h i c h has
JJJ
1928c
ask him
direct
Cabinet
of
x?
Board o f E d u c a t i o n .
26th September,
course,
moment.
i n v o l v e ' some measure
new d e c i s i o n
informed
I
arisen.
p
Q
I
O
fully­
to
of
any
A P P E N D I
DECLARATION
The B i s h o p s
review
the
dltlons
to
at;
and t h a t
of
the non-provided
conviction that
these
beyond the
conditions
strength
of
under
schools.
the
actual
con­
compromise o f
1902
now c o n s t i t u t e
the supporters
a
of
those
bear.
They d e s i r e
essential
situation
i n no way c o n t e m p l a t e d when the
b u r d e n which i s
schools
EDUCATION.
Annus 1 M e e t i n g had a g a i n
once mere t h e i r
were
was a r r i v e d
THE HIERARCHY ON
at t h e i r
present
They a f f i r m e d
0?
X.
to
to
a just
emphasise
two p r i n c i p l e s
and l a s t i n g
settlement
which
of
this
are
urgent
question.
( 1 ) That
of
choice
of
to
all
school
parents
such as a t
only to the wealthier
is
possible
primary
of
only i f
i n the
case
choice
of
(2)
of
for
all,
system of
that
voluntary
poorer
parents,
those
to
of
who r e g a r d d e f i n i t e
education,
teaching
of
therefore,
every
same f a c i l i t i e s
social
as
that
freedom
teaching
of
should
as
an
t o t h o s e who a t t a c h no 3ueh
character.
a reasonable
class,
weakening
lessening,
education
religious
kind
whether
Any
limited
of
cases
this
schools,,
a further
possess.
the
of
and e x t e n d e d ,
s y s t e m means i n e v i t a b l y
liberty
i n most
liberty
school which t h e y s t i l l
We c l a i m ,
of
and
belongs
the v e r y
part
Importance
present
of
to
essential
s h o u l d be open some
be m a i n t a i n e d
That p r e c i s e l y
be g i v e n
parents
classes;
the
or secondary,
the v o l u n t a r y
there
choice
and e q u a l
unhampered, by d i s a b i l l t i e s
of
school
edu c a t i o n a. 1
on t h e
ground o f
for
facilities
relipion.