HL Deb 27 July 1982 vol 434 cc225-6WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the documents sent to schools on politically controversial issues such as nuclear weapons by government departments since 1980 and whether they will cease this practice in view of the condemnation of it expressed by resolution at the conference of local authorities at Sheffield on 15th July 1982.

Lord Belstead

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office prepared three publications on international arms control and disarmament negotiations for the public, particularly non-governmental organisations:The Balanced View, Peace and Disarmament and Arms Control and Disarmament. The material is of a balanced and factual nature.

At the suggestion of representatives of the teaching profession, and after informing local educational authorities, a set of the material was circulated to the heads of secondary schools and colleges. It is, of course, for them to decide whether or not to use it. We shall continue to offer material of this sort to the public, and to the schools through the recognised channels.

Material prepared by the Ministry of Defence on nuclear weapons policy is not sent to schools except at the specific request of the school concerned.