§ 3. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has now selected a list of low-priced books, other than text books, for his Low-Priced Books (Export) Scheme; and what proportion of the expenditure on the scheme it is estimated will be spent on this category of book.
§ Mr. R. AllanI have been asked to reply.
The Advisory Committee on the Selection of Low-Priced Books for Overseas has now agreed a provisional first list of titles. The views of H.M. Representatives overseas are being obtained on which of these titles are likely to be most suitable for particular territories. It is too early yet to forecast the proportions which will be spent on either kind of book.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is almost exactly the first anniversary of the date on which the Chancellor announced his programme and told the House—told me in answer to a supplementary question—that 2 million books would be distributed by the end of this year? Is not this going much more slowly than it ought? Is it not time that the right hon. Gentleman came back and got cracking on this?
§ Mr. ManuelWhere is he?
§ Mr. AllanI think my right hon. Friend did explain to the hon. Gentleman the magnitude of the task which the Committee was undertaking, but the time it has taken in selecting titles has not been wasted, for many practical arrangements with the publishers and distribution agencies have been dealt with during this time.
§ Mr. MayhewWill the hon. Gentleman take note that, while the right hon. Gentleman is a notably modest and self-effacing personality, his return to that Dispatch Box will be warmly welcomed on this side of the House?
§ 4. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to ensure that the books provided in the Government's scheme of low-priced books for overseas shall be written in a simplified English vocabulary and syntax, easily understandable by readers to whom English is a second language.
§ Mr. R. AllanI have been asked to reply.
As the plan is to provide books for readers to whom English is a second language, the hon. Gentleman's point has been kept in mind from the outset, both by the Advisory Committee, and my right hon. Friends. Nevertheless there will of course be readers for books which use the English language to the full.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that both the Soviet Union and China are exporting books which are extremely carefully and skilfully written in simple English suitable for people who learn English as a second language? Will he make sure that we do not send out books which may suit publishers but which, perhaps, do not meet the needs of the people who read them?
§ Mr. AllanYes, of course. I think the hon. Gentleman may have seen the letter from Mr. Norrington in The Times in which he said that this point was raised at the very first meeting of the Committee and had been borne in mind ever since.
§ Mr. de FreitasIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many bookshops in Yugoslavia are flooded with American-produced books written in turgid and most verbose English? Will he see that 6 when we eventually get round to distributing books in those countries they are written in concise, clear, good English?
§ Mr. AllanYes, certainly. As the hon. Gentleman will know, we have just concluded an agreement with Yugoslavia.