§ MR. CALDWELL (Glasgow, St. Rollox)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the case that Assistant School Inspectors in Scotland require to be not less than 25 years of age; whether it is the case that the Inspector last appointed (Mr. Milne), over the heads of Assistant Inspectors of great experience, was under that age at his appointment; whether any good reason exists for insisting on Assistant Inspectors being not less than 25 years of age, whilst an Inspector higher in office to him may be under that age; and, what was the age of Mr. Waddell when he was appointed one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)The officers to whom, I presume, the hon. Member alludes are the Inspectors' assistants. These are chosen solely from the body of certificated teachers; and the Rule as to a minimum age of 25 years is laid down as a practical guide to selection amongst that body. The Rule does not prevail with regard to Inspectors, and the last-appointed Inspector was under 25 years of age. But, as I explained on the 20th of April last, he was not in any sense appointed over the heads of Inspectors' assistants, who are officers holding posts of a different grade. Mr. Waddell was appointed Inspector more than 13 years ago, at the age of 27 years. I have answered the Question of the hon. Member; but their Lordships cannot undertake to reply to inquiries tending to the discussion of the past history of individual officers of many years' standing.