§ MR. J. A. CAMPBELLasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether the Scotch Education Department is yet prepared to make provision, as authorized by sections 19 and 20 of "The Education (Scotland) Act, 1878," for the examination of higher class schools?
§ MR. MUNDELLASir, the Scotch Education Department have, on more than one occasion, applied to the Treasury for a Vote to enable them to conduct the examination of higher class public schools; but their application has been declined, on the ground that the power of appointing and paying for examiners of such schools, given to the school boards by the Act of 1872, was not superseded by the subsequent Act of 1878. No provision has, therefore, been made for the service in the Estimates of the current year; and as the Commission on Scottish Endowments, on which the hon. Member is now serving, is to make arrangements for the inspection of these higher schools, I am hopeful that it will not be necessary that we shall again be obliged to apply to the Treasury for a grant for these examinations. I trust that what the Commission will do itself will enable them to inspect these schools.