HC Deb 19 January 1967 vol 739 c638
28. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance is given by his Department to teachers in secondary schools responsible for sex education and instruction in adult relationships.

Mr. Denis Howell

Advice is given in the Department's pamphlets on "Health in Education", of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, and on "Health Education", which is now being revised.

Mrs. Short

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he not agree that where parents refuse to accept this responsibility towards their children, then the teaching profession can play a very valuable part in helping children over this hurdle? Is he aware that some schools deal with this very well, while others do not tackle it at all? Will he assure the House that he will keep his eye on this problem?

Mr. Howell

I entirely agree that this is a matter of importance and I think that it is well understood to be so by most of the teaching profession. I hope that the revised copy of "Health Education", which will shortly be completed, will help to produce the result which my hon. Friend requires.