asked the Minister of Education whether she will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the 81 local education authorities to which she has written concerning the insufficiency of their cuts in estimated expenditure.

Yes, Sir.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask her whether she is aware that Dr. Alexander, the secretary of the Association of Education Committees of England and Wales, and the National Union of Teachers, have both expressed alarm at this approach which she has made? Will she give the House an assurance that she has now reached rock bottom in her economy attack upon education?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to know that the number of letters which I have written has now gone up from 81 to 94.

Inasmuch as 81 is more than half the number of local education committees, may I ask what proportion of the school population is now represented by 94?

I could not say the proportion of the school population, but perhaps, if he had read the letters, or any one of them, the right hon. Gentleman would realise that the letters were not asking the education authorities to make further cuts but for a further explanation about the estimates.

asked the Minister of Education what modifications have now been made by the Essex County Council in respect of previous decisions on educational economies; whether these have been accepted by her; and what financial expenditure is involved.

I understand that the local education authority desire to rescind as from the beginning of the autumn term the measures previously adopted for reducing expenditure on the transport of senior school children. I asked the authority for particulars of their revised proposals, which have now been received and are under consideration. The sum involved would be £29,370 in this financial year.

Does not the Minister agree that the previous economies were most deplorable and that it is greatly encouraging that the new council are deciding to try to abolish these economies?

As the hon. Member knows, certain statutory limits are laid down in the Act as to distance and that if a child lives beyond a certain distance transport should be provided. In this case, transport was being provided for children living at a shorter distance.

Did I understand the right hon. Lady to say that she was writing to Essex County Council asking for particulars? Does that mean that she proposes to interfere? If so, why does she not interfere in other cases?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman did not hear me. I said I have written and they have replied to me.

What was the purpose of writing? What was the intention of the right hon. Lady?

To find out what their proposals were. They have now informed me that it is the transport of the senior school children and that the sum involved is £29,370. I now have that information.

Can the right hon. Lady give an assurance that, in accordance with her regular policy of non-intervention, she did not bring any pressure to bear on Essex County Council to improve their educational services?

I asked Essex County Council for this information, which they have now given me, and on 25th June I received a request from them that I should receive a deputation to discuss the matter. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] I do not know why. Essex County Council gave me the information, but I did not send them any further letter. They have now asked for a deputation to be received. I shall consider that before I send a reply.

asked the Minister of Education what instructions she proposes to give to the Chester City Education Authority, whose cut in educational expenditure is on a percentage basis the highest in the country and in excess of that asked for in Circular 242.

None, Sir. It was recognised in paragraph 2 of Circular 242 that some authorities might find it practicable, within the policy of the Circular, to make a reduction of more than 5 per cent. on the forecast which they submitted last autumn.

Does not the right hon. Lady think that at a time of rising prices and increasing costs a cut of this magnitude is bound to undermine the fabric of this essential service? Will she instruct this Tory dominated council to have another look at this matter with a view to safeguarding defenceless children from a selfish attack?

I think that before making statements of that sort the hon. Member would be well advised to look at the list of the returns made, which has already been presented to Parliament, because there were other authorities which have not done perhaps quite so much as 7.4 per cent., but some local authorities are well over 6 per cent. I think that if the hon. Member looks at the names of the authorities he will not think his accusation about a particular authority being a Tory authority, and therefore cutting down, is quite accurate.

Does not the right hon. Lady realise that many citizens and many in the teaching profession in this city are up in arms on this matter and feel she is neglecting her duty in allowing cuts of this magnitude without doing anything about it?

I think the hon. Member would be well advised to look at that list. It is quite clear, apart from anything to do with the political views of the various authorities, that the estimates of some were probably not very accurately prepared. It is difficult to prepare the estimates, and whereas we know a great many authorities when asked to look at their accounts again showed an increase, certain other authorities showed varying degrees of decrease.

asked the Minister of Education whether paragraph 15 of her Circular 250, concerning the stopping of the provision of meals at schools during holidays and on Saturdays, applies to free meals granted in necessitous cases.

The paragraph was intended to apply to holiday and Saturday meals without distinction whether they were being provided free or on payment. If an authority are satisfied that the meals cannot be stopped without hardship to the children it is open to them to continue the arrangements.

Is the Minister aware that it is quite impossible to stop free meals for necessitous children without hardship being created? Will she ensure that the disastrous effect that her circular may have on these children will be modified by another letter to the local authorities?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will study the paragraph to which he refers. It may interest him to know that the majority of children who are taking meals during holidays and on Saturdays are those who pay for them.

While the majority may be so covered, the minority must receive the protection both of this House and of the Minister.

asked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to ensure that persons not in possession of qualifications equivalent to those given in Schedule II of the Training of Teachers Regulations are not admitted to the training colleges.

Under the Regulations which the hon. Member mentions, it is open to area training organisations to allow exceptions to the general rule restricting admission to candidates possess- ing one of the qualifications listed in Schedule II, and I see no reason to deprive them of this discretion.

Will the Minister give an assurance that, despite the very serious problem that faces her of obtaining sufficient recruits to the teaching profession, she will not seek to solve this problem by lowering the standards of entry to the profession?

Certainly. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the area training organisations, who make the exceptions, have representatives of university training colleges, local education committees and representatives of members of the teaching profession. I think the hon. Member can leave it to them.

May I thank the right hon. Lady for the most pleasant answer she has given me for a very long time?

Is it not a fact that, owing to the unbelievable mess left by the Socialist Government, the first social service must be food? What is the good of having pupils and teachers in schools if they have nothing to eat?

I hope that we shall have schools, teachers, and food.

asked the Minister of Education if it is proposed to include Clauses dealing with the financial position of denominational schools in the promised Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made with regard to Her Majesty's Government's proposals with reference to the denominational schools; and when she expects to be in a position to announce these proposals in detail and introduce any necessary Measure.

asked the Minister of Education if she has now reached agreement with the representatives from denominational schools on the question of further assistance.

I would ask the hon. Members to await the text of the Bill.

Will the Bill be introduced this Session?

I think so. I should like to see it introduced as soon as possible, but, as the right hon. Gentleman will understand. I cannot give a definite date at this moment.

May I assure the right hon. Lady that this Bill will receive a much warmer reception than some of the stuff we have been seeing?

Is it not a fact that the Bill is in print and is available and, if that is so, and in view of the fact that it embodies the proposals of my right hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Farnworth (Mr. Tomlinson), why not produce it, because we shall support it?

If there is another Bill which the hon. Gentleman knows is in print, I shall be happy to see it. The Bill to which I am referring is being drafted at the moment.

Is the right hon. Lady not aware that talks were practically concluded with representatives of the various denominational schools some time ago, and since in the period of seven or eight months since the General Election nothing has yet been done in regard to them, will she speed up the matter?

Consultations have taken place with certain denominations but no definite consultations on the propositions have taken place with the National Union of Teachers, the local education authorities and various other people who are interested.

Is it not a fact that if there had not been a change of Government, there would not have been the money to meet the new demands?

When the right hon. Gentleman says that the legislation will receive a warm reception, does he mean that it will receive a hot reception or a cool reception?

asked the Minister of Education how many new schools, stating primary and secondary schools separately, are at present being built in Staffordshire, compared with the number being built on 31st December, 1951.

On 30th April last there were 19 primary and one secondary schools under construction in Staffordshire. The comparable figures for 31st December were 23 and one, respectively.

Is the Minister satisfied with the progress being made in Staffordshire, and is she thoroughly assured that her limited, revised building programme will be achieved this year?

Yes, I think it ought to be. More schools were completed at the date to which the hon. Member has referred, and I have no reason to think that the number of places which the programme was calculated to provide will not be provided.

asked the Minister of Education how many new schools, stating primary and secondary schools separately, are at present being built in England and Wales; how these figures compare with those for 31st December, 1951; and if she is satisfied with the progress of the building programme.

At the end of 1951, 854 new primary and 276 new secondary schools were under construction. The comparable figures for the end of April were 804 and 275. I am satisfied that at the present rate of progress the 1,150,000 places needed by the end of 1953 will be available.

Is the Minister aware that the progress made during the past nine months is only one-fifth of what was done in the previous nine months? Is she further aware, having regard to the proposed recruitment, that, on her own figures, her programme is at least 200,000 short of the required places?

No, I am not aware that the programme is fully 200,000 short. If the hon. Gentleman would care to see me at any time, or write to me explaining how he bases his figures, I shall be glad to look into them. However, when we are here talking of schools under construction, I would point out that I am more anxious to see that the building programme is not overloaded and to get the schools quickly than to have too many under construction and too few completed.

Is the Minister not aware that she has told me in answers to Questions that the increase in the number of children on the school rolls by the end of next year will be 1,350,000 and not 1,150,000, and that therefore her figure for the new places to be provided by the building programme must be at least 200,000 short?

No, if the hon. Gentleman will look at this, he will see that it is not nearly as simple as that. We have to take into account both the new schools to be provided in the new housing areas, where there are no schools, and the places that are left in the schools from which the children have to come. It is a very complicated matter, and I am willing to explain to him how the calculation is made. The calculation is exactly the same as that made by my precedessor. It works out at 1,150,000 places required, and under this programme we should have them.

asked the Minister of Education how many primary and secondary school classes there now are with over 60 pupils; where these schools are situated; and what special steps are being taken to reduce the numbers in those classes.

asked the Minister of Education how many classes containing over 60 children there are in primary and secondary schools; and what steps she is taking to abolish these.

Full statistics for 1952 are not yet available, but of the 15 classes recorded as having more than 60 children on the register in January, 1951, only four remained of this size in January, 1952, and the children in them were grouped for registration purposes only. They were actually taught in much smaller groups.

Does that mean that there are no classes now with more than 60 pupils being taught by one teacher? If that is so, it will mean that a horrible blot has been removed from our educational system.

I hope that more blots will be removed shortly.

Is the Minister aware of the intense feeling at all teachers' conferences about the size of classes, and will she, as a gesture, issue one of her now famous circulars outlawing any class of over 60 under any circumstances whatever?

All the figures I have given on the subject of the number of teachers and the size of classes, as the hon. Gentleman knows, refer to the time when my predecessors were in office. The figures I have quoted about the training of teachers come from the report of the National Advisory Committee. I have only given the suggestions of those who are carrying on this work and the figures that were produced by my predecessors. If the hon. Gentleman knows any way of doing what he suggests without outlawing the children from the schools, I shall be very glad to hear about it.

asked the Minister of Education the aggregate amount to be expended in the development plans of the local education authorities of England and Wales.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

Is the Minister aware that the amounts, if not available, are astronomical, and that all teachers are sceptical that these monies will ever be spent? Can she give the House some idea of her feelings on the future of these development plans?

I have never before been asked to give any idea of my feelings, but I am very willing to do so. I am confident that the plans in regard to the building programme and the teachers, which I have announced in this House, are based on good schemes, and I am extremely optimistic that some day I may have praise from the hon. Gentleman for having fulfilled them.

asked the Minister of Education the numbers of part-time and full-time students, respectively, in technical colleges for the session 1951–52; and what are the estimated numbers for the session beginning September, 1952.

This information is not yet available.

Is the Minister aware that teachers in technical colleges, particularly in the London area, are much disturbed about the falling off in development so far, and that they are blaming the diminution of enrolment on her circular No. 242 which has increased the fees for courses beginning in September of this year?

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that nursery classes at four West Ham primary schools are to be closed down temporarily in September because of the shortage of teachers; and, in view of the concern felt by the parents affected, what action she proposes to take to rectify this position.

On my present information I do not regard it as unreasonable that the authority should close nursery classes in order to provide more teachers for children of school age.

But is the Minister aware of the fact that there is difficulty in West Ham in getting teachers for this type of class because of West Ham being bombed out and housing accommodation not being available? If the local education authority can get extra teachers to undertake this important work, will the Minister agree to allow the increased allocation for that purpose?

There is another Question dealing with teachers which I will answer later. At the present time, if there is a shortage of teachers for children of five years of age, I think the authority must be allowed to close nursery classes in order to deal with them, but I am told that there will still be four nursery schools and three day nurseries.

asked the Minister of Education whether she has completed her consideration of the proposals of Shropshire County Council to close three of their six nursery schools; and if so, what is her decision on the proposals.

asked the Minister of Education if she has completed her consideration of the further information she has received from the Shropshire County Council in regard to the authority's proposals to close three of its six nursery schools; and, if so, what conclusions she has arrived at thereon.

Yes, I have decided that I should not be justified in intervening in the authority's exercise of their discretion.

On what grounds does the Minister think she would not be justified in intervening?

In two cases, the authority consider that the accommodation is needed for children of statutory school age, to whom their first obligation lies. In another case, I find that 17 out of the 25 children who were going to the nursery school were travelling six miles a day.

Was the Minister replying to my Question, which appears later on the Order Paper? If so, I did not catch her reply to it. Would she be kind enough to indicate what decision she has arrived at?

I have arrived at the conclusion that I should not interfere with the local authority's decision.

Does that mean that the Minister is in agreement with the education authority in closing three out of only six existing nursery schools in the county, and with the fact that one of the three which it is proposed to close is in the northern part of the county, which would leave that part of the county in future without any nursery school whatever? Does she consider that she is fulfilling her obligations and duties under the Education Act by sanctioning such a proposal?

Yes, because under the Education Act the statutory age at which a child should go to school is five years. In two cases, as I have said, the authority consider that the accommodation is needed for the children of statutory school age, to whom their first obligation lies.

asked the Minister of Education why she reduced the allocation of teachers for West Ham for the current year from 581 to 577, in view of the education committee's desire to extend this figure to 617; and whether, in view of the difficulties confronting this authority, she will reconsider the borough education committee's request for an additional allocation.

As the supply of women teachers is inadequate to meet the needs of all authorities, my Department, on the advice of the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers, fixes maximum establishments for each authority so as to secure fair distribution of the teachers available. West Ham's quota for the current year is 581, but the authority have not been able to recruit up to this figure. The revised figure of 577 for the next school year will permit the authority to employ more women teachers than they have at present.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether, if the council are by some means or other able to get additional teachers—the Minister agrees that there is a national shortage of this type of teacher—she would then agree to review the council's application to have the quota extended to their original figure of 617?

At present, I am told, their number is 572 and the suggested quota is 577. They have not got the 577, and I think, therefore, that at the moment I can say no more on the subject.

The right hon. Lady has perhaps misunderstood my question. If the council reach the quota of 577 that she has now given, will she then further review their need to put up the number to 617? In other words, may I take it that she has not finally rejected their request for the 617?

I am working on the advice of the National Advisory Council on this scheme. I do not say that the number need never be altered, but at present it is only fair that we should keep to this distribution scheme.

asked the Minister of Education the names of the local authorities who have decided to abolish instruction in swimming or to cut it down in the coming year.

I have no comprehensive information on this matter.

Is the Minister aware that Warwickshire and Dorset have completely abolished swimming instruction and that the wealthy borough of Bournemouth has cut it down by 50 per cent.? Would she not agree that physical training is part of the essential fabric of education and that swimming instruction is an essential part of physical training? Will she rebuke and restrain these naughty authorities for cutting their instruction in swimming?

I do not think it is for me to rebuke or to restrain. The authority is given the power to make these arrangements. That authority, as the hon. Member knows, is the authority that decides the curriculum. I do not think it is for me to interfere in everything that the authority does or to rebuke and restrain.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that this anti-swimming policy in which she persists is damaging, not only to the large number of qualified teachers of swimming, but also to the children? Will she therefore, in the public interest, reverse this policy?

This is not my policy. Under local government arrangements, it is left to the local education authorities to decide.

But the Minister has to approve.

I do not have to approve one way or the other. There was one matter in which I was asked why I was interferring. This matter is left to the local education authorities, and I suggest that the hon. Member should express his anxieties to them; it is up to them to decide.

Will not the right hon. Lady express some regret that some local authorities have entirely eliminated this instruction?

No. I think I must leave it to the authorities to decide for themselves.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will suggest to local education authorities that they should maintain, in 1952–53, the present number of university awards as well as increasing their value; and whether she will consider favourably any supplementary estimate which local education authorities now find necessary to achieve that end.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular on this matter which I issued last week.

Is the Minister aware that, despite several Questions to her, we still have not got policy clear on this matter? Will she state quite clearly and categorically whether it is her policy to take all necessary steps to keep up the total number of public awards for university education? She has not yet given that assurance to the House.

I have made it clear in the circular that I have only just sent out, having gone into the matter very carefully, that I have not asked for any economy whatever in the subject of awards. I do not think that it can be kept entirely by numbers, because it depends from year to year on how many people have come up to the standard at which they could profit by a university education. I think hon. Members would agree that to lay down an exact number for each education authority would not be the best way of doing it. I have asked for no economy whatsoever.

asked the Minister of Education what her intentions are with regard to the proposals of the Monmouthshire Education Committee for interfering with the work which is being done by the Abertillery, Ebbw Vale and Nantyglo Blaina Divisional Executive.

I have not as yet received any such proposals from the Monmouthshire local education authority.

asked the Minister of Education the value of the educational building programme at present under con struction; and the amount for the corresponding period last year.

£106 million and £110 million, respectively.

asked the Minister of Education the value of building projects approved for the training of teachers for the first quarter this year; and how this compares with the amount for the first quarter last year.

£173,000 and £704,000, respectively.

asked the Minister of Education how many new schools with gymnasia have been erected since the end of the war.

One hundred and fifty-seven permanent new secondary schools were completed between the end of the war and the beginning of February last. So far as I have been able to ascertain in the time available, each of these schools has a gymnasium. Separate gymnasia are not provided in primary schools.

In view of the fact that there has been this number of new gymnasia completed since the war, will the right hon. Lady now give serious consideration to permitting the Durham education authority to finish the gymnasium at Boldon Colliery Modern School, which has been partly completed for 13 years and is an eyesore, whereby children are being denied a facility they ought to enjoy?

I will certainly look into the matter. I am very sorry it has not been completed for 13 years, but I have not been responsible for all that time.

I am quite aware that the right hon. Lady has not been responsible and do not want the answer that the previous Government were not able to complete this gymnasium in six years. I am asking if the right hon. Lady can do anything about it.

I will look into it. I could not give a reply on a particular case which I did not know about.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that the staff of Landewednack County Primary School, Cornwall, which contains 106 scholars, has now been reduced to a headmaster and two women assistant teachers, the headmaster having a class of 38 children whose ages range from nine to 15 years; and what action she proposes to take to remedy the bad effect these numbers must have on the standard of teaching at this school.

Yes, Sir, but I do not consider that any action is called for on my part.

Does not the Minister consider that an economy of this sort, which results in a headmaster having a class of 38 children in the seven-year range, is something which endangers the essential fabric of education in that school? Will she ask Her Majesty's Inspectors throughout the country to provide her with information on the staffing of these all-age primary schools so that we can have a reasonable and decent standard of staffing in them?

This is no case of economy. The hon. Member will recollect that I particularly pointed out that there should be no economy in staffing. This staffing is the responsibility of the local authority. The numbers laid down as absolutely necessary were laid down in the time of my predecessor— there is no change. I quite agree that if the numbers in this school were to increase by even very few it would be absolutely necessary—and we would point the matter out—for a fourth teacher to be employed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will consult with Commonwealth countries with a view to making reciprocal arrangements to permit the unrestricted movement of members of the British Commonwealth between Commonwealth countries.

The question of restrictions on the entry of citizens of British Commonwealth countries into the territories of other members of the Commonwealth is a matter not for Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom but for the Governments of the countries concerned.

In order to help the policy of Her Majesty's Government of trade, not aid, will my hon. and learned Friend do all in his power to facilitate the free movement of goods and persons all over the world?

I have given the position in regard to the independent countries of the Commonwealth.

Will my hon. and learned Friend use whatever influence he has got?

I could not understand whether the hon. and learned Gentleman indicated assent to the last supplementary; if so, may I ask whether that includes Seretse Khama?

I did not indicate assent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will propose to the Governments of the Commonwealth that they should inform each other of the censorship regulations in force within each member state, so that publishers in one part of the Commonwealth will not be put to the expense of exporting books to another part of the Commonwealth, which are then confiscated by the officials of the importing country.

No, Sir. Such information is readily available in that the importation of various classes of undesirable publications is prohibited in all the countries members of the Commonwealth by legislation on the lines of Section 42 of the United Kingdom Customs Consolidation Act, 1876.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, although he is usually well informed on these matters, his answer was quite inaccurate? The Minister of the Interior in South Africa, under the Customs Act of South Africa, has arbitrary power to confiscate any book he pleases without giving any reason whatever.

It must be a matter for the South African Government, and any information required must be sought from the appropriate South African authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, in view of the problems which will continue to exist in the Far East, even after the conclusion of an armistice in Korea, he will consult with the Governments of India and Pakistan with a view to arriving at a common policy.

A regular exchange of information and views is maintained at all times between the United Kingdom and all other Commonwealth countries. In the course of this exchange with India and Pakistan the objective to which the hon. Member refers is constantly borne in mind.

Does not the Minister agree that these countries are in a unique position to serve the cause of peace and co-operation in Asia, and that a closely worked out policy based on agreement between them and Her Majesty's Government would be likely to produce excellent results?

We do maintain the closest consultation with them in order to achieve the objective which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, in view of the present policy that the Commonwealth should be consulted before changes involving Dominion status are made, what consultations have taken place and with what result between Her Majesty's Government and the Governments of India, Pakistan and Ceylon with reference to the proposals for closer co-operation in Central Africa.

The proposals (Command 8573) for the federation of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland do not involve any change creating full and independent membership of the Commonwealth. The necessity for consulting other Members of the Commonwealth has not therefore arisen.

Would not it be a good thing to consult and find out the opinion of the Asian countries on these important changes? Is not the Under-Secretary aware that the Prime Minister said the other day that any change in the situation in West Africa would have to be submitted to the Union of South Africa for prior consideration? Has not he been made aware of the overwhelming feeling against these proposals in the kraals and in the Far East, and does he not realise that public feeling is being roused to a very considerable degree and should he not consult them before going further?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will be in a position to announce the qualitative specifications which he intends to replace the former Utility specifications.

During the past three months the industries concerned, in association with the British Standards Institution, have made considerable progress towards the establishment of new textile and clothing standards. As the statement of progress to date is rather long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I remind him that already there are large quantities of shoddy goods on sale? Is he taking any action to prevent the sale of such goods?

I would say in answer that the British public today can get better value for money in the shops than at any time since the war. [HON. MEMBERS: "But they have not the money."]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now take action to prevent resale price maintenance agreements unless they are approved by some suitable tribunal such as the Monopolies Commission.

This would require legislation; and, as the hon. Member was informed on 29th April, I do not propose to introduce this Session legislation on this subject. I will, however, bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

In view of the fact that opposition to resale price maintenance has at last spread even to his own benches, will the Minister be persuaded by the views of right hon. and hon. Members opposite to end the grievous disadvantages of the practice of resale price maintenance?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the public interest in the Soviet film, "The Fall of Berlin," what reciprocal arrangements are in force for showing British films in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 19th June.

Is it not possible to inform the Soviet Government that while we are always glad to see Russian films in this country, we would expect the Russian Government to take steps to see that British films are shown in Russia, not necessarily of a propaganda nature, but those which show English life at its best?

Is it not a fact that the most popular play in Moscow at the present time is Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion"?

Would not the Minister agree that the showing of the film "The Fall of Berlin" should be encouraged as a means of stopping the growth of Stalinism?