§ Mr. Hannahasked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give the House any information about the teaching of American history in British schools, and especially the text books used?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir, the Board's Inspectors, assisted by well-qualified lecturers—American and British—are conducting a series of short courses for teachers on the United States of America. Courses have already been held in eight centres and have been attended by more than 1,200 teachers. Further courses will be held, and I am considering the best method of following up the interest which has been aroused, by this initiative of my predecessor. One leaflet on the teaching of the history of the United States of America—including a bibliography—has been published by the Board for the use of teachers, and a second is being prepared. The Board do not prescribe textbooks for use by pupils in the schools, but I know that a number of educational publishers are alive to the need for suitable books for use in the schools and are devoting their attention to meeting this need.