§ 28. Mr. McENTEEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the London County Council is now purchasing German laminated boards for use as blackboards in London schools, in substitution for Canadian yellow-pine boards, which have been in use in the schools for many years past; and, seeing the useful life of the German boards is estimated at five years and the Canadian boards at 20 years, will he make representations to the London County Council to encourage Empire trade by reverting to the use of Canadian yellow-pine blackboards in all their schools?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)I understand that a certain number of German blackboards have been purchased because they are lighter for the teacher to handle, but the purchase of materials for schools is primarily 1523 a matter for the discretion of the local education authorities concerned. All local authorities have been circularised on more than one occasion, and urged to purchase British goods and materials wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so. My Noble Friend has no reason to think that the London County Council are not aware of the wishes of His Majesty's Government in this matter.
§ Mr. McENTEEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in fact Canadian yellow pine is the lightest wood on the market, and that there is no laminated wood made to-day that is nearly so light as Canadian yellow pine?
§ Mr. HANNONMay I ask my hon. Friend whether he feels that this is a sudden conversion to Protection, or with an eye on the London County Council election?