§ 75. Mr. Marquandasked the Minister of Education what sums have been included in the education Estimates per year, since 1933, for research or aid to local education authorities and teachers for improving the teaching of reading to young children, excluding the expenditure connected with the 1948 investigation of reading ability published in 1950 as Ministry of Education Pamphlet No. 18.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe cost of any such aid would fall under a number of different sub-heads, without appearing as232W specific sums in the Estimates of my Department
§ 79. Mr. Rodgersasked the Minister of Education what representations she has received from national bodies expressing concern at the fact that backward reading in schools is as widespread as one in three of the pupils; and what action she is planning to improve reading ability.
§ Miss HorsbrughI have recently received two resolutions expressing concern at the evidence of backwardness in reading suggested by an investigation held in 1948, which was summarised in Pamphlet No. 18 published by my Department in 1950. The issues raised in the second part of the Question are too wide to be dealt with in answer to a Parliamentary Question.