§ MR. TENNANT (Berwickshire)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he would be willing to grant a Return showing for Scotland and for such large towns as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Aberdeen, how many children leave school because they are fourteen years 260 old, how many because they have labour certificates, and how many because they have merit certificates.
MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYIn answer to the hon. Member's question, I am informed that the number of merit certificates gained each year might be given. It would also be possible to calculate approximately the number of children who leave school on reaching the age of fourteen. School boards might also be able to give the number of labour certificates gained in their own district. But it would be impossible to say which reason actuated each child in leaving school. In view of the change contemplated in the Bill now before the House, such a Return, which would necessarily be to some extent problematical, seems scarcely to be worth the labour it would involve.