LONDON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A member of Britain's Parliament says he'll ask the country's national academy of sciences to explain why it supports the discussion of creationism in schools.

Phil Willis, the chairman of the House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee, says he's "horrified" at a view expressed by Michael Reiss of the Royal Society indicating it's better to discuss creationism in schools than ignore it, The Times of London reported Tuesday.

Reiss, a professor of a science education at the Institute of Education in London and also an ordained Church of England clergyman, told an audience last week that science teachers should accept that they won't be able change the minds of students who believe in creationism and that it's "best to have a genuine discussion," The Times reported.

"I am at the Royal Society on Wednesday and I will be raising this very issue," Willis told the newspaper. "I think if (Reiss's) views are as mentioned they may be incompatible with his position."

A spokesman for the Royal Society said: "Michael's views are the views of the Royal Society. Our position is that if young people put forward a creationist perspective in the classroom, it should be discussed."

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