HC Deb 07 May 1908 vol 188 c391
VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether he will state, as regards France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the United States of America, Canada, and Australia, the minimum age at which children can obtain exemption from the obligation to attend school; whether such exemption is partial or total, and obtained as the result of passing an examination; and, if so, the subjects of the examination.

(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The arrangements as to school attendance in the several countries named are too varied to admit of a clear Answer being given to the Question, except by means of a memorandum. I am having a memorandum prepared, which will give such information on the point as the Board of Education possess, and it will be laid in a few days. I may add that, so far as the Board are aware, no arrangements appear to exist in any of the countries referred to for the partial exemption of a child from school attendance.