HL Deb 11 July 1957 vol 204 cc976-7
LORD MATHERS

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what text books are available to enable teachers to prepare lessons for their pupils based upon the recommendations made on pages 112 and 113 of the Ministry of Education Pamphlet 31 entitled Health Education.]

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)

My Lords, it has never been the practice of any Government to compile lists of approved textbooks. Moreover, in my view, textbooks would have at best a very limited part to play in teaching based upon the recommendations to which the noble Lord refers. Where, as here, we are concerned to inculcate ideals of control and self-restraint, the best instrument is not so much the formal lesson out of a textbook as the influence which teachers—and I might add, parents—can bring to bear on the attitude of the children and the example set both by them and adults generally.

LORD MATHERS

My Lords, I thank the noble and learned Viscount for the Answer he has given, indicating apparently what the practice is in his Department. This does not seem to me to be an adequate or very creditable reply for a Department that concerns itself with education, and it is the education side that is referred to in my Question.

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, when the Minister of Education begins to approve textbooks, this will cease to be a free country, and I shall never be the Minister of Education to do this.

LORD MATHERS

My Lords, may I ask the noble and learned Viscount the Minister whether he is aware that the tone and text of that reply do not do him credit?

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, I must say that the suggestion that the Minister of Education should compile a list of approved textbooks is not only revolutionary but dangerous, and it is my duty to say so; and for the noble Lord to suggest that it is not creditable for a Minister of Education to refuse to do so seems to me to show a lamentable lack of understanding of educational policy in this country.