HC Deb 17 July 1969 vol 787 cc856-7
4. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek powers to prevent the spread of propaganda directed to the overthrow of Parliamentary government in secondary schools.

The Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Edward Short)

No, Sir. I do not consider that this would be an appropriate matter on which to introduce legislation.

Mr. Wall

Is the Minister aware that Trotskyist and anarchist forces behind some of the recent university unrest are now turning their attention to the secondary schools? Would he not agree that organised attempts to undermine discipline and the authority of teachers and parents can only disrupt our educational programme, and will he keep the whole question under review?

Mr. Short

I have looked very carefully at the evidence available, and feel quite sure that we can leave the schools to handle the matter. It is not illegal to advocate the overthrowing of our Parliamentary institutions, and it is a good thing that that is so: that is why they are so strong.

Mr. Peter M. Jackson

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that it would be very difficult to define the Parliamentary system and Parliamentary government, and that, in any event, it would be improper to restrict the advocacy of the overthrow of certain Parliamentary systems for which the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) is such an apologist, such as in Rhodesia and South Africa?

Mr. Short

All I say is that it would be a considerable infringement of individual liberty to make it illegal to advocate the overthrow of our Parliamentary institutions. That is all I say.