HC Deb 15 February 1962 vol 653 cc1490-1
7. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many low-priced textbooks and low-priced paperbacks have been distributed to Commonwealth countries under the official scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Braine

A total of 153,000 copies of university textbooks and 155,000 copies of other books has been printed to date for distribution through the publishers concerned to Commonwealth and other countries in Asia. A further 241,500 textbooks and 469,500 other books are in production. The scheme has been warmly welcomed in the countries concerned, and the Report of the recent Commonwealth Education Conference in Delhi has described it as markedly successful.

Mr. Thomson

We are glad to hear that, at long last, some adequate progress is being made with this scheme, but may I ask whether the Joint Under-Secretary is aware that there is widespread astonishment that the scheme—particularly the textbook scheme, which has been an outstanding success—is not to be extended to Africa at all? Is he aware that when the scheme was originally introduced, the impression given to the House was that Africa was to be one of the priorities, and would he not agree that if the House had known that Africa was to be excluded it might have given the scheme a very different welcome?

Mr. Braine

There is no question of excluding Africa. We are considering an extension to Africa, but I think that the House would agree that we were right to experiment with the scheme in Asia first—where the need for low-priced books was greater—especially in view of the special efforts being made by other countries in the provision of English textbooks.

Mr. Thomson

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that in West Africa, from which I recently returned, there is a very urgent demand for university textbooks and low-priced paperbacks; and that the impression is that there are obstacles in this country? Will he push on with efforts to make sure that the African countries get the benefit of the scheme?

Mr. Braine

I do not agree that there are obstacles in this country. The value of book exports to Nigeria alone has increased from £813,000 in 1959 to over £1¼ million in 1960 and the figures for all African countries show an upward trend. I do not exclude the possibility of extending the scheme, which has been so successful in Asia, to Africa. But this is not a matter that can be rushed forward.