Education Secretary sidesteps religious question

According to the Guardian (Manchester), Education Secretary Charles Clarke avoided answering a controversial question at the Labour Conference in Brighton today. Asked whether the existence of religious schools might encourage "segregation" and introduce problems further down the line, Mr Clarke

... failed to address the issue of religious schools directly, focusing instead on outlining a new religious education syllabus thrashed out with religious leaders from all faiths, which is to be introduced across all state schools, he said.

"Agreeing a way of dealing with faith in all schools strengthening the way in which things are taught is a positive one," he said. "The framework we have agreed with all major faith leaders - and some minor ones - is a major step forward step which enables us to challenge this issue."

Full story here.