Anti-Litter Campaign

HC Deb 26 March 1964 vol 692 cc645-6

31. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to see that the anti-litter campaign is supported in schools and colleges.

Sir E. Boyle

Schools and colleges are already aware of the importance of this matter, and I do not think that any special action is needed on my part.

Mr. Prentice

Could not the Ministry keep in touch rather more with the Keep Britain Tidy campaign to see if more could be done? Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that a walk down any high street would convince him or anybody else that most of our schoolchildren are set an appalling example by their parents in these matters? Would he not agree that schools could do more to make a major impact on the standard of cleanliness and tidiness both in our towns and countryside?

Sir E. Boyle

This is a matter which is best left to the schools and colleges and local education authorities. I was glad to see a recent article in The Times which said that there were now nearly 2,000 Keep Britain Tidy school committees, but this would not be a satisfactory subject for an educational circular.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the education in the world will be of very little value unless local authorities provide receptacles for litter? Litter is to be seen lying all over the place, and particularly in stations, where people leave their tickets on the ground—but there are hardly any receptacles in which they can be placed, anyway. Will he consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government on the matter?

Mr. Speaker

It is not the responsibility of the Minister of Education to put litter bins in stations.

Mr. P. Williams

Does not my right hon. Friend think that perhaps the best thing to do would be to persuade Giles, the cartoonist, to lead a campaign?

Sir E. Boyle

I think that the best thing that we can do is to move on to the next Question.