Mr. POINTERasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the operation of Article 56c of the code of regulations issued by the Board of Education, which declares that no boy or girl may be admitted to examinations in science and art who has attended a public elementary school during the preceding six months, to the detriment of the children of working-class parents, to whom the advantages of secondary education are denied; and, if not, whether he will cause inquiry to be made with the object of removing such disadvantage if, after inquiry, it is found to exist?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)I am aware of the Article in question. The examinations referred to are intended primarily for adult students and not for children. I do not think any hardship is involved in refusing to public elementary school children admission to an examination so obviously unsuitable for them.