HC Deb 14 May 1964 vol 695 cc586-8
23. Mrs. Slater

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that Surrey Education Committee plan to spend money in a youth club to instruct young people on wine-tasting; what guidance he has issued to local education authorities in this regard; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Hogg

I understand that the Surrey local education authority have no such intention and I see no need to issue any guidance.

Mrs. Slater

I have in my possession a cutting which is a report in the Daily Telegraph of the proposals of the Surrey Education Committee. While I agree with all the other suggestions about youth club work, in view of our problems with adolescents, should not this part of the proposal be cut out, especially when, although students will pay something towards their courses, money which is part of the general subsidy to youth clubs is to be used for this purpose?

Mr. Hogg

I am not responsible for statements in a cutting. I understand that in one area of Surrey an isolated course under the title, "Man about Town", for boys aged 16 and over, included one talk about wine, at which the lecturer produced small samples of wines. I understand that nearly all those who attended this course were aged 18 or over.

Mr. G. Thomas

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that whatever the age of these young people, he ought to be concerned about protecting them from the evils of drink. [HON. MEMBERS: "Nonsense."] I realise that I cannot speak with the experience of many hon. Members opposite. None the less, is he aware that it is very offensive for public money to be used to encourage young people to acquire the habit of drinking?

Mr. Hogg

I was asked a specific Question about the Surrey education authority and my information was that the statement in the Question was a mare's nest.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would my right hon. and learned Friend agree that if this were a true statement it would be another example of gracious living in an affluent society?

Mr. Hogg

Wine, as we all know, maketh glad the heart of man, but it does not necessarily follow that it ought to make glad the hearts of young children.