§ 46. Mr. Blytonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of he continuing shortage of text books and books in the schools of Durham County; and if he will increase the supply in the area.
§ Mr. BelcherI am afraid that the shortage of educational books is not confined to any one area, but is general. We are seeking to overcome it in consultation with the Ministry of Education.
§ Mr. BlytonIs my hon. Friend aware of the deep resentment felt in educational circles at the fact that cheap, trashy novels can be bought at booksellers while children go short of their text books?
§ Mr. BelcherI am very well aware of the feeling that exists in educational circles about the shortage of educational books. We have done a good deal already to encourage and support the production of these books; but this shortage is mainly due to the exhaustion during the war years of stocks of educational books, and to the paper difficulties. We shall do all we possibly can.