HC Deb 02 July 1931 vol 254 c1443
26. Mr. McSHANE

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the approaching Disarmament Conference, he will consider issuing, for use in schools, a suitable booklet on this subject?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Lees-Smith)

Instruction is already given in schools in the work of the League of Nations, but I do not think it would be advisable to issue a booklet dealing with one particular aspect of its work such as disarmament.

Mr. McSHANE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a most important aspect of the League of Nations' work, and could not the opportunity be taken of the present Disarmament Conference to use the schools as a great instrument for educational propaganda? It is not necessarily pacifist.

Mr. LEES-SMITH

I think it would be very dangerous to use the schools for propaganda. It is quite contrary to our whole educational system to take one event and issue a whole series of syllabuses and text-books upon it.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Cannot we have a balance in this matter? Instead of teaching the children all about 1066, teach them about how to avoid battles.