School Books

HC Deb 11 November 1975 vol 899 cc1116-8

3. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultation he is having with representatives of local education authorities about the provision of school books in the next financial year.

Miss Joan Lestor

None, Sir. Decisions on school book provision are within the discretion of individual authorities.

Mr. Goodhart

Is the Minister aware that at a recent conference of educational publishers and of all the leading teachers' organisations, fears were expressed that, because of inflation and the squeeze of public spending, the provision of books will drop by 25 per cent. in the coming year? Is she also aware that at the same conference it was said that the provision of school books per pupil, in Nigeria, is now larger than that in this country?

Miss Lestor

I am aware of the concern that has been expressed about the whole question of school books. The hon. Gentleman may be aware that the Bullock Committee recommended the setting up of a working party to examine capitation allowances. This recommendation is currently being considered by my Department.

Mr. Freud

Is the Minister aware that less than 1 per cent. of the local education authorities' budget is spent on school books? Will she accept that unless adequate resources are made available for improving reading standards during statutory schooling, we shall have to enlarge the adult literacy campaign.

Miss Lestor

I am afraid I did not quite catch the last part of the question.

Mr. Freud

Does the Minister agree that unless adequate supplies of books are provided during statutory schooling there will have to be greater financial provision for the adult literacy campaign?

Miss Lestor

This is perfectly accurate. There is a connection, obviously. But I remind the hon. Gentleman that the Bullock Committee, while drawing attention to the question of school books, their quality and availability, also gave instances in which the question of reading standards was not connected simply with the supply of school books. There are many other factors to be borne in mind.

Mr. Spearing

Does my hon. Friend realise that, whilst her Ministry lays down minimum standards for school buildings and for pupil-teacher ratios, her right hon. Friend has given me an answer showing that the Ministry has no standards whatsoever, or no minimum standards, concerning capitation, or for equipment and materials, which includes books? Is she aware that, even where there is an increase in the real resources spent on education, this can, due to the current economic difficulties, sometimes mean a reduction in these very important materials? Does she not think that it is time the Department had some standards in this respect?

Miss Lestor

I can only repeat what I said in answer to the first question. This is one of the matters to which the Bullock Committee drew attention, and it is one of the matters that we are examining at the moment. I cannot really go much further than that.