§ 39. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Air what is his Department's policy on circulating within the education service of the Royal Air Force discussion pamphlets produced by organisations such as the Bow Group and the Fabian Society.
§ Mr. C. I. Orr-EwingWe do not normally circulate pamphlets of this kind. One pamphlet by the Bow Group, containing information which was thought likely to be helpful to education officers consulted by service parents about boarding school education, was circulated early this year. However, after considering the circumstances, I have now decided that this pamphlet should be withdrawn.
§ Mr. de FreitasIs it not a great shame that this pamphlet should have been withdrawn? Would it not be far better to circulate other pamphlets on education so that there may be discussion within the Service on this very important subject?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI think that it is in the general interest of the education services within our Armed Forces that we should not circulate pamphlets coming from political sources. It is hardly fair to leave it to the judgment of education officers as to how far politics may be accepted in individual pamphlets. Of course, these pamphlets are available to people who are interested; they can write and apply for them under their own arrangements, rather than through our circulation.