§ 65. Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will appoint a small committee of educationists and historians to examine means by which greater emphasis can be placed upon the teaching of British and Scottish history in schools, upon extending the amount of time allocated to the teaching of these subjects, and upon raising the prestige of history generally in the Scottish educational system.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend's information is that the importance of history is being increasingly appreciated in Scottish schools generally.
30WAllocation of time to particular subjects is primarily a matter for them, with the help and guidance of Her Majesty's Inspectors. The teaching of history has recently been the subject of two pamphlets issued by the Scottish Education Department, of which I am sending the hon. Member copies.
In the circumstances my right hon. Friend does not feel that the appointment of a committee would serve any useful purpose.