§ 140. Major Beamishasked the Minister of Education whether he has now examined the school textbook entitled "Life in the U.S.S.R.," of which he has been sent a copy; whether he is aware that it contains Communist propaganda, omitting much that is vital to a proper understanding of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics under Communism; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that this textbook or any other political propaganda is not used for teaching purposes in schools for which he is responsible.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI have now examined this book. I agree that it emphasises the favourable aspects of life in the U.S.S.R., but I think it would be misguided to take the view that any book which presents a one-sided picture is necessarily propaganda and, therefore, unsuitable for use in schools. The influence of a textbook depends less on what it contains than on the use the teacher makes of it. I do not control the curriculum in the schools, and it would be quite inconsistent with our present system of education that I should attempt to ban or prescribe any particular publication for school use. As I have already explained to the hon. Member, I should certainly investigate any case where there was evidence that a teacher was using his position to propagate his political views in the course of instruction.
§ 141. Major Beamishasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that many school teachers, mostly members of the Communist Party or of pacifist organisations, have recently carried out political propaganda among school children, who have been encouraged to collect signatures for the so-called Peace Campaign organised by the Communist Party; and whether he will investigate this matter forthwith, as well as other abuses of their positions by Communist teachers and teachers under Communist influence.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the case reported in the Press where signatures for this campaign were alleged to have been collected in two London schools. He will no doubt had read the statement132W made by the headmaster of one of the schools concerned that all but one of the forms completed by boys in his school were signed with fictitious names and treated as a joke. I have no evidence that teachers were concerned, but I am informed by the London County Council that they are making a full investigation, the results of which they will communicate to me.