HC Deb 18 January 1977 vol 924 cc61-2
7. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her policy toward the distribution of pamphlets to State schools by bodies not connected with education or with education research; and if she will take action to check the content of such pamphlets.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The use made by schools of pamphlets and other material of this kind is a matter entirely for the local education authorities and the schools themselves. My right hon. Friend has no power to intervene.

Mrs. Short

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Observer, just before Christmas, published a report that a large number of anti-Semitic documents—about three-quarters of a million of them—had been printed in Birmingham which purported to claim that there was not any wholesale murder of Jews in the period before the war? The report said that these pamphlets were distributed on a considerable scale in schools, including some London grammar schools. Is it not entirely unacceptable that this sort of propaganda should be distributed, especially as a former member of the National Front was identified as being involved in the preparation of the pamphlet and its author was given as Richard E. Harwood, of London University? I regard this as a matter of great concern, as I hope my hon. Friend does.

Miss Jackson

I agree. It is not only unacceptable; it is disgraceful to publish material of this kind which bears no relation whatever to the evidence of crimes which were committed. Also, I think it is dreadful that sufficient money has been made available to distribute material of this kind on such a large scale. But I am not aware of this material having been distributed in schools. I think that it is a matter in which, as in many others, we can rely on the good sense of head teachers in schools to know what sort of material is totally unsuitable for children's use.

Mr. Hal Miller

Is the Minister aware of the distribution of pamphlets in my constituency by an organisation called Big Flame, calling on pupils to revolt against their parents and containing whole strings of four-letter words which are totally unsuitable for children of this age?

Miss Jackson

I am not aware of the pamphlet which the hon. Member has mentioned. If he sends me a copy I will look at it.