HC Deb 27 October 1949 vol 468 cc1487-8
2. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Education how many times the instruction film entitled, "How Life is Carried On," has been shown to children in schools under his jurisdiction and by whose permission; and how many sex instruction films are being shown in such schools.

Mr. Tomlinson

The hon. Member is no doubt referring to a film-strip produced by an independent firm and entitled "How Life is Handed On." Arrangements for showing films and film-strips in grant-aided schools are a matter for the local education and school authorities. I have no information as to how many times this particular film-strip has been shown, nor how many sex instruction films are being shown in grant-aided schools.

Sir W. Smithers

While I am not suggesting that there is any offensive intention on the part of the Minister, may I ask whether he is aware that part of the Communist technique is to demoralise the youth of the country?

Mr. Tomlinson

I do not know anything about that technique, but I do deplore the way in which these problems are being presented from time to time in the Press, and I would ask that we should remember the number of cases in which this teaching, carried on all over the country, has been of benefit to the children rather than otherwise.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the Minister make certain that none of these British children see the play known as "Desire" or something—[An HON. MEMBER: "A Streetcar Named Desire."]—which is an outstanding example of American moral technique?