HC Deb 20 July 1967 vol 750 c2463
36. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps have been taken by his Department to advise local education authorities on the methods of teaching the new decimal system.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

My right hon. Friend has asked the Schools Council to consider the curricular implications of the new system for the schools. The implications for further education establishments are being considered separately.

Mrs. Short

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is she aware that there will be considerable cost in the reprinting of textbooks? Is this to be borne by the Department?

Mrs. Williams

The Department is not itself responsible for new textbooks, but we are aware that there will need to be many changes, and inspectors are at present in contact with the publishers of textbooks about the changes which will be required. We hope that full guidance on the whole subiect can be made available early in 1968.