HC Deb 27 June 1957 vol 572 cc400-1
22. Mr. Pargiter

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why permission was refused by the Nyasaland Legislative Council for the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be made available for use in African schools.

Mr. Profumo

I assume the hon. Member is referring to a reply given in the Nyasaland Legislative Council on 7th February to a request that the Government take immediate steps to see that the schools were provided with the Declaration and other United Nations documents as part of their reading materials. The Government spokesman said that the terminology of such documents was such that they were not generally suitable for, nor readily understandable by, schoolchildren.

Mr. Pargiter

Could not something be provided in a simpler form, perhaps with a preface that whilst all men are born equal in the sight of God, some are more equal than others? Might not something to that effect be suitable?

Mr. Profumo

I think that is a slightly different question. I was answering the Question on the Order Paper, but I will look into what the hon. Member has suggested.