140th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY TESTS ACT 1871

That this House commemorates the forthcoming 140th anniversary of the University Tests Act, which was enacted into law on 16th June 1871, and which prevented universities from discriminating in employment and admissions on religious grounds for non-theological courses; notes that this brought to an end requirements for staff and students in universities to engage in worship, to have to receive religious instruction or to confirm to any particular religious observance; believes that this represented an important advancement in the freedom of religion and belief in the UK and notes that at the time universities did not receive recurrent state funding; and further notes with disappointment that religious discrimination in pupil admissions and teacher employment, as well as mandatory worship and religious instruction, still pervade the state funded school systems in the UK.