§ Mr. MUNRO - FERGUSONasked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the judgment of Sheriff MacLeod in a prosecution by the Linlithgow parish school board for failure to attend a continuation class conducted by the board; and whether he is prepared to amend the law so as to enable school boards to carry out the intention of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, and to enforce conformity to the school board by-laws in respect of continuation classes?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)My attention has been called to the case in question. The Education (Scotland) Bill when it went before the Scottish Grand Committee contained a provision for inflicting a penalty upon the young person who contravened the by-laws, but after discussion that provision was struck out without a division, the Committee being apparently of opinion that the end desired could be obtained by the alternative procedure against the parents or the employers of the young person, which does not appear to have been resorted to in the present case. In view of all the circumstances, the Secretary for Scotland does not see his way to propose amending legislation at the present time.
§ Mr. PIRIEWhat was the original intention of the Education Act, may I ask?
§ Mr. PIRIECan the right hon. Gentleman give any explanation of the reason for this and many other similar cases which necessitated application to the Law Courts in order to clear up these slipshod methods of legislation.
§ Mr. UREThe Committee came to the conclusion that the methods prescribed by the Bill were adequate.