19. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Education, whether, in view of the desirability of a more widespread knowledge of finance, he will ensure the inclusion in the curriculum of the schools throughout the country of some instruction on this subject?
§ The President of the Board of Education (Mr. Butler)While the younger children learn something about pounds, shillings and pence, my hon. Friend will no doubt appreciate that a study of advanced finance is appropriate only for older children. Some such instruction is already given in secondary, central and junior commercial schools as well as in part-time evening classes. The question of its proper place in the curriculum of secondary schools in the future is under consideration by the Norwood Committee.
Mr. De la BèreWill my right hon. Friend see that it is not made impossible to ensure that really comprehensive instruction in finance is carried out in secondary schools in the near future, and will he include the methods by which bankers make their profits, and also the banking system and Treasury deposit receipts?