Education Bill

My Lords, I support wholeheartedly what my noble friend Lady Massey has just said, particularly in relation to children learning about different faiths and so on and that being part of general education. Amendment 85B is very good and extremely well intentioned. The only problem I have is with its wording. Subsection (7) outlines the principles of PSHE, which of course are absolutely admirable, that it ““endeavours to promote equality””, of course; ““encourages acceptance of diversity””, of course; and, "““emphasises the importance of both rights and responsibilities””." Of course we all agree with that; it is absolutely right. However, subsection (8) says: "““Subsections (4) to (7) are not to be read as preventing the governing body or head teacher of a school within subsection (9)””—" that is, schools with a religious character, "““from causing or allowing PSHE to be taught in a way that reflects the school’s religious character””." That gives me a problem because subsection (7) could lead us into difficulty when it says, ““endeavours to promote equality””. We are all aware that there are religions that, if you look at their precepts, are in dispute with the equality law that we have, and we want all citizens of this country to accept the rights that the equality law gives them. That sort of wording might lead us into some difficulty. I do not have the same problem with Amendment 98, which has just been spoken to by my noble friend Lady Massey. Frankly, I would prefer that wording and that amendment to the wording in the amendment that is presently before us. However, I support the feeling behind both amendments, I think that it is right, and I congratulate both noble Baronesses for their commitment to these ideas, which I wholeheartedly support.