SCOTTISH TORY PARTY SUPPORT FOR CREATIONIST SCHOOLS

Early day motion 1339, tabled 20 May 2002 by Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party). Signed by 22 members.

That this House expresses astonishment at the remarks by Mr Murdo Fraser MSP, the Deputy Education Spokesperson for the Tory Party in Scotland, on BBC Scotland Television on 17th May, in which he expressed support for the sect known as, creationists, running state schools in Scotland; notes that members of this sect totally reject evolution; believes that creationists have nothing to do with great religious faiths in Scotland, the United Kingdom, and the wider world; further notes that creationists have taken control of a state-funded secondary school in Gateshead, where they are undermining the teaching of science; rejects the foolish position of the Tory Party in Scotland, which seems now to be not only against devolution but also evolution; and asserts that the misguided creationist sect should not be placed in charge of children's education in Scotland or anywhere else in the United Kingdom.

Signatures by party: Labour 15, Scottish National Party 4, Liberal Democrat 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.