HC Deb 26 February 1906 vol 152 cc791-2
MR. A. DEWAR (Edinburgh, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to a resolution adopted by the Edinburgh School Board disapproving of the Draft Resolutions recently issued by the Scottish Education Department for the training of teachers in Scotland in respect that the said Draft Resolutions propose to create a new method of training under non-representative authorities without full security that candidates will receive adequate practical training, and that the children of parents in humble circumstances will have obstacles placed in their way to the teaching profession; whether he can state when the Draft Resolutions are likely to be considered by the Department; and whether an opportunity will be given to the House, and in particular to the Scottish Members, for a full discussion of the subject before the Draft is definitely put into a Minute and laid upon the Table.

MR. SINCLAIR

I am aware of the resolution adopted by the Edinburgh School Board. I am also aware that equally important educational authorities such as the School Boards of Glasgow and Govan have approved of the Draft Regulations. The Draft Regulations will be further considered by the Department when the reports of the Provincial Committees have been received. But representations received from other educational bodies will also be considered, and in order that full opportunity may be given to School Boards and others to make themselves acquainted with the scope of the proposals, the Draft Regulations have been put on sale. No announcement as to subsequent action can be made till the Regulations have been considered by the Department in the light of the reports of the Provincial Committees and of other representations received.