HC Deb 20 October 1943 vol 392 cc1374-5
41. Squadron-Leader Donner

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has already asked for facilities for talks, lantern or film lectures in the schools on the subject of the Colonial Empire with a view to promoting a greater interest in and knowledge of the Colonies; and with what result?

Mr. Emrys-Evans

My right hon. and gallant Friend is in constant touch with the Minister of Information and the President of the Board of Education with a view to promoting a greater interest in and knowledge of the Colonial Empire in schools by these and other means including special posters and pamphlets. I would refer to the reply given yesterday by the President of the Board of Education to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd) as an indication of the facilities which are being provided. A large proportion of the lectures and film displays given to school children under the auspices of the Imperial Institute is devoted to the Colonial Empire.

Mr. Sorensen

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, in order to promote also accuracy and truth in schools, he will see that these talks are objective and not unduly romantic?

Mr. McGovern

Will the hon. Gentleman see that in any education that is given to the children they are also told of the wage conditions in the Colonies and are shown pictures of the starvation in India and the Colonies generally?