HC Deb 24 November 1949 vol 470 cc515-6
35. Mr. Joynson-Hicks

asked the Minister of Education the distribution of the Ministry of Education pamphlet No. 16 entitled "Citizens Growing Up"; and how many copies of it have been sold to the public.

The Minister of Education (Mr. Tom-linson)

One thousand eight hundred copies of this pamphlet were distributed by my Department to local education authorities, the Press and selected individuals. The number of copies sold to the public or otherwise distributed by His Majesty's Stationery Office up to 19th November was 14,343.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Is the Minister satisfied with the distribution of this pamphlet; and is he aware that it is about the best pamphlet his Department has ever produced, and that its distribution ought to be a very great deal larger?

Mr. Tomlinson

I shall never be satisfied with the numbers. I agree that it is at least one of the best pamphlets we have ever turned out. It is also one of the most popular from the standpoint of the numbers printed. I am anxious that it should be advertised more, and we have put in hand a reprint of another 15,000.

Mr. Dumpleton

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that it would be even better and more popular if more intelligent attention had been paid to the typography; and will he consult experts, and have future booklets set in more suitable and better type?

Mr. Tomlinson

We are anxious to keep these pamphlets within reach of the pocket of the individual.

Mr. H. Hynd

Can my right hon. Friend explain why we are getting so many complimentary questions from the Opposition today? Where is the catch?