HC Deb 12 December 1929 vol 233 cc648-9
55. Mr. RAMSAY

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board of Education is satisfied that geographical and historical text-books now in use have been brought thoroughly up to date; and whether he is taking any steps to give effect to the suggestion recently emanating from Canada that there should be a conference of publishers of school books in this country and the Dominions?

Sir C. TREVELYAN

I am not entirely satisfied on this matter. The recent report of the Board's Consultative Committee on Books in Public Elementary Schools, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, makes several references to the point, and I sincerely hope that the conclusions of that committee are receiving the careful consideration of all those concerned in the production of text- books for schools. With regard to the second part of the question, I do not think that I could convene a conference of publishers of school books, but I shall be glad to use my good offices, if I am invited to do so, to bring the publishers of school books into touch with the representatives of the Dominion Governments.