HC Deb 03 May 1962 vol 658 c1179
10. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Minister of Education what have been the activities of the United Kingdom National Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation during the past twelve months.

Sir D. Eccles

The Commission itself has held one meeting during the period and a number of its advisory committees have also met. The dates of meeting are necessarily related to the U.N.E.S.C.O. timetable and the Commission and its committees will be called shortly to discuss the draft programme and budget for 1963–64 which has just been received.

Mr. Thomson

Is not this a very limited amount of activity in this important matter? Will the Minister encourage the Commission to be more active? Will he bear in mind that we are now a signatory to the U.N.E.S.C.O. Convention against discrimination in education? Will he ask the Commission to consider how this may be followed up in the curricula of schools by the teaching of world citizenship and a dislike of any form of discrimination?

Sir D. Eccles

I rely on the Commission which is composed of very distinguished persons. I will consider bringing that point to its notice.