12 APRIL 1945, Page 14

CLERICAL SCHOOLMASTERS

SIR,—In addition to the arguments on merits adduced by the Rev J. H. Shackleton Bayley against the draft Regulation 23, it raises a constitutional issue of some importance. Many of the schools affected are regulated by schemes under the Endowed Schools Acts. It is there provided that a person shall not be disqualified from being a teacher on the ground that he is or is not in Holy Orders. The substantive regulation is largely modified by the proviso which gives the Minister a dispensing power ; but it is a disquieting instance of a departmental Regulation superseding an Act of Parliament. Members have the opportunity of defending the liberty of schools and vindicating the authority of Parliament.—Your