asked the Minister of Education what representations he has received from educational leaders in the North-East about undesirable picture cards in packages of sweets; and what reply he has made.

I have received a letter from the Blyth Teachers' Association which requests my assistance in suppressing the issue of these cards. In reply I have drawn the attention of the Association to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the hon. Member's Question on 2nd July, and I have explained that I have no powers to suppress the production or distribution of these cards. I hope, however, that parents will support teachers in helping their children to discriminate against shoddy material.

Whilst thanking the right hon. Member for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that it simply does not go far enough and that, while we appreciate that he has no power to introduce legislation, the Home Secretary has? Will he discuss this with the Home Secretary with a view to some action being taken? The question of moral protection of children in schools is the right hon. Gentleman's responsibility.

I am bound to say that I doubt whether legislation would be the right way to do this. I think that this is a matter rather for the pressure of public opinion. These cards are absolutely deplorable, but what struck me about them was not so much that they were frightening or corrupting as that they were so utterly shoddy and contemptible. I would rather see this sort of thing dealt with by force of public opinion.

Mrs. Slater:

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer will not get the withdrawal of these cards? Does not he think that, particularly in the circumstances in which we are living, something should be done by the Government themselves?

This Government?

Mrs. Slater:

Well, they are in power at the moment. It is the right hon. Gentleman's responsibility to see that our children are protected. We had to do something about horror comics. Why cannot we do something about these terrible cards?

I ask the House seriously to consider whether it would be right to try to frame legislation about the types of pictures which go into packets of sweets. I accept fully that these are absolutely lamentable pictures. In taste, in style and everything else one could not imagine more lamentable cards. However, I cannot but feel that it would be best if the children, so far from buying these sweets because they contain cards, came to realise how bad the pictures were and stopped buying the sweets. I think that pressure of public opinion is better than legislation in these cases.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, if the Government are to take action in matters of this kind, they should start a little higher up?

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter later.

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Surely this question is about whether there should be legislation. Would that be in order on the Adjournment?

I will consider that if and when it arises on the Adjournment.