HC Deb 03 March 1987 vol 111 c574W
Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many local education authorities have requested copies of the film "Keeping the Peace"; and how many have been distributed.

Mr. Stanley

As at 25 February 1987, 267 requests had been received from educational establishments in 94 local education authority areas. These requests came from 214 secondary schools, 40 colleges, nine teachers' centres, two polytechnics and two universities. A copy of the film is being made available to each of them free of charge.

It is not known how many educational establishments will have received the film through other channels, such as organisations interested in defence matters.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for distributing the film "Keeping the Peace" to institutions of higher education and to other organisations.

Mr. Stanley

Video and film copies of "Keeping the Peace" are available on request free of charge to educational establishments and on free loan to other interested organisations and members of the public from the Central Office of Information or the Ministry of Defence.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from education authorities, from teachers' organisations and from parents and others, against the proposal to show his Department's film "Keeping the Peace" in schools; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Stanley

As at 25 February 1987, no representations from education authorities or teachers' organisations have been received in the Department. The Department has received representations from 13 members of the public against the showing of the film "Keeping the Peace" in schools. An appropriate reply is being sent in each case, explaining that the film is designed to meet the ever increasing needs of interested groups, including schools, for information on defence.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of the film "Keeping the Peace" have been produced.

Mr. Stanley

Three thousand video cassettes and 1516mm film prints have been produced to date.