HC Deb 24 February 1966 vol 725 cc604-5
14. Mr. Park

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what efforts he is making to meet the demand for specialised teaching aids for immigrant schoolchildren.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Denis Howell)

The provision of teaching aids is primarily a matter for local education authorities. Circular 7/65 called attention to the need for increased provision of books and equipment for immigrant children, and the Department is doing what it can to encourage the production of suitable material.

Mr. Park

Is my hon. Friend aware that in parts of the country where there is considerable concentration of non-English-speaking children teachers have produced special reading texts and other aids which are proving of immense value? Will he consider making the facilities of his Department available for the convening of teachers' conferences or using the services of the inspectorate to ensure that knowledge of these aids can be more widely disseminated?

Mr. Howell

Both these courses of action are much in our minds. The Schools Council is doing a preliminary investigation into the question of aids in the teaching of immigrants, and we are very anxious to further this work.