HC Deb 23 October 1941 vol 374 cc1889-90
25. Mr. Lindsay

asked the President of the Board of Education how many copies of the secret and confidential document on educational reform have been printed; and how many have been circulated?

Mr. Ede

The distribution of the 1,050 copies originally printed is complete, except for a small number needed for official use.

Mr. Lindsay

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether there is, as I saw in the Press this morning, any suggestion that this document, or a précis, is now going to be made available to the wider public?

Mr. Ede

There is a Question for non-oral answer to-day, No. 10 on the Order Paper, in the name of the hon. Member for Neath (Sir W. Jenkins), in reply to which it is stated that a summary of the suggestions in the document is being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Lindsay

Will the hon. Gentleman convey to the President of the Board of Education that the termination of this unhappy procedure will be widely welcomed, and will he use his own influence to see that the prestige of the Board of Education in the matter is kept up?

Mr. Ede

I should regret any suggestion that the prestige of the Board is less now than it was when I assumed office, I will convey the hon. Gentleman's suggestion to ray right hon. Friend.

Mr. Shinwell

Can my hon. Friend explain why it was that, when the Board sent out more than 1,000 copies of these alleged "secret and confidential" circulars, they refused to send one to the Labour party, although the Labour party insisted that they should also be included?

Mr. Ede

As a result of representations made to me, the Labour party received a copy of the report.

Mr. Harvey

Could a copy of this report be placed in the Library of the House?

Mr. Ede

I will ask my right hon. Friend to deal with that question.

Mr. Sorensen

Could not all the Members have one?