Women to inform candidates
From Our Own Correspondent
FOLLOWING the Free Church Federal Council's attack on the Catholic school claims, the Hierarchy's proposed solution of the problem is to be sent to all the Anglican and Free Church clergy in the Birmingham diocese. At the request of the Archbishop, Mgr. Masterson, the Archdiocesan Board of Catholic Women has undertaken to make known the Bishops' proposals to all
General Election candidates in the diocese except in parishes where this is being done by the Union of Catholic Mothers and the Catholic Women's League.
Inquiries have already been sent to the Birmingham candidates.
Replies already received indicate that candidates have devoted serious study to the question. Replies from Mr. Aubrey Jones (Hall Green), Mr. F. M. Bennett (Ladywoodt, Mr. P. K. Debenham and Mr. F. C. Shurmer (Sparkbrook), Mr. F. Longden (Small Heath) and Mr. Charles Doughty (Aston) show a sympathetic and active interest in the plight of Catholic schools.
No candidate is to be threatened with the loss of the Catholic vote should his reply be less satisfactory than that of his opponent.
Public meetings have been arranged for Feb. 12 at Rugby, Wolverhampton-to be addressed by Bishop Beck and Miss Barbara Ward -and Coventry; for Feb. 13 at Hanley. Worcester and Birmingham -probably to be addressed by the Bishop of Plymouth and Miss Barbara Ward-and for Feb. 14 at Oxford.
Meanwhile, the Birmingham education committee has sanctioned approach to the Minister for the building of a new secondary modern school at King's Heath, Birmingham.