asked the Minister of Education what action he proposes to take to publicise the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in schools and other educational institutions in this country, in view of Article D.1, by which all member States are recommended to use every means in their power to do so.

It is for local education and school authorities to decide whether any particular matter shall be given publicity in schools. I am, however, considering how best to bring the Declaration to the notice of schools and other educational establishments, so that teaching about it may be incorporated in their normal curriculum.

At the same time as the right hon. Gentleman brings this to the notice of schools, will he also bring to their notice the answer given by the Minister of Labour on Tuesday, that while this country is observing this Declaration in spirit it is breaking it in the letter?

asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken to improve the working conditions of children in theatrical employment.

The licensing of children to take part in entertainments is governed by Section 22 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, as amended by the Education Act, 1944, and the regulations made thereunder. This and related questions are being re-viewed by a departmental committee set up, in consultation with myself, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Has my right hon. Friend any information as to when the report of this departmental committee will be available, or when action will be taken on it after it becomes available? What is he doing in the meantime to prevent these children from having to work in squalid conditions scarcely fit for animals, referred to in the recent report submitted to the committee?

Knowledge of these conditions was the reason for the setting up of the committee. I think that before we are asked what action we are taking we should await the committee's decision.

asked the Minister of Education what additional permanent hostel, camp or hotel accommodation is being provided this year for the use of organised school journey parties in England and Wales.

I regret that I have no information available. Arrangements for school journeys are within the discretion of local education authorities and do not require the approval of my Department.

Is the Minister making inquiries of the Chancellor of the Exchequer with regard to the use of properties taken over by the National Land Fund in this connection?

No.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent social and economic local surveys are being carried out as part of the courses in the various types of secondary schools; and whether travelling expenses necessarily incurred, especially in rural areas, in carrying out these projects are completely met by the local authorities and rank for grant.

Local surveys are undertaken by many secondary schools. The expenses involved, including that of any necessary travelling, are met by the local education authorities who receive grant on their expenditure.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will appoint at least one representative of Monmouthshire to the Joint Education Committee for Wales in view of the special educational problems existing in the county.

The representative members of the Welsh Joint Education Committee are appointed by the county and county borough councils and include eight appointed by Monmouthshire.

Will the Minister see that there is representation by one teacher outside those members nominated by the County Council?

As I have acceded to eight times the number asked for by the hon. Member, I think that he can trust me in one particular.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will issue an instruction to local educational authorities who have established comprehensive schools that children in those areas are not to be debarred from taking the county examination for grammar school education.

No, Sir. Comprehensive schools are intended to provide all forms of secondary education.

in view of the fact that the 1944 Act places very great importance on the right of parents to choose the sort of free education that they want for their children, will be reconsider this matter and ask the local authority to give more consideration to the desires of parents as to how their children shall be educated?

I would point out that if a parent considers himself aggrieved as a consequence of the setting up of a comprehensive school, he can appeal to the Minister; but I do not think the hon. Member should ask me to prejudge a case which has not arisen.

Does not the Minister realise that this means that children in areas where there are some comprehensive schools, are debarred from going to a grammar school; that this is not equality of opportunity, but prevents the child of poor parents from having the chance to get to a university? They cannot get to the university.

The original answer intimated that a comprehensive school is expected to provide all forms of secondary education.

But it does not. That is the point.

It does.

Only three of these schools have been organised within the last 12 months, and even the hon. Gentleman cannot decide upon the experiment in that time. It has to run for at least five years before anyone can say with confidence what can and what cannot be done. Many children have gone from similar types of schools to universities.

I must press this point. It is perfectly well known that these schools are of such a size that it is impossible to have a proper sixth form, and that these children are deprived of the opportunity of reaching the university, and that is unfair.

It is exactly for the reason given by the hon. Gentleman that I have asked the committee to look again to see that the opportunity is given. A school can remain a comprehensive school and give all the opportunities for which the hon. Gentleman is asking.