§ 16. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Minister of Health if he will consider sponsoring a British film, through the Central Office of Information, for use in senior schools and for the education of the public in childbirth and maternal and child welfare, including the work of ante-natal clinics.
§ Mr. BevanThe Ministry of Health has already produced, through the Central Office of Information, a series of films on the care of young children. Others on various aspects of maternal and child welfare are in production or planned
§ Mr. CooperMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman realises the extraordinary amount of human interest taken in an American film which is being shown at the present time at a cinema in Charing Cross Road, which has attracted very great crowds? Does he not think it is important to show the public of this country the British practice as distinct from the American practice?
§ Mr. BevanWe are indeed showing a very large number of English films. I would resist any inclination to believe that the Americans in this matter are more forward than we are.
§ Colonel Stoddart-ScottWill the Minister promise the House that he will not have shown in senior schools any film which shows a detailed, factual and faithful reproduction of the operation of childbirth, which can have only one effect, and that is a deterrent effect, ultimately on the birth rate?
§ Mr. BevanI am sure that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education and I will bear in mind any technical advice we have on this subject, but the effect on the psychology of the child seems to be a matter upon which laymen have as much information as specialists.