HC Deb 15 June 1967 vol 748 cc766-7
39. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to revise and improve the system of collecting statistics on the provision of textbooks in schools.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The Department first collected information about expenditure on library and textbooks for the financial year 1964–65. We are keeping the arrangements under review.

Mr. Goodhart

May I remind the hon. Lady that in the Easter Adjournment debates she said that she hoped the Department would be improving the provision of statistics on this important branch of education?

Mrs. Williams

I would point out that prior to 1964–65 the Department collected no statistics. We must give some opportunity to see how the system is working.

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