§ 28. Mr. HOLMESasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the formation of a secondary schools examination council by the Board of Education, also to certain recommendations of the Scottish Education Reform Committee and the Business Committee of the General Council of Edinburgh University, which advocate a Central Examination Board for regulating 1975 and controlling all national examinations in Scotland; and whether he will empower the Scottish Education Department to set up such a council or board for the purpose indicated?
§ Mr. MUNROThe circumstances in England and Scotland are very different. Owing to the multiplicity of examining bodies in England at present, the formation of an Examination Council, acting under the authority of the Board of Education, seems a necessary step towards establishing for the first time a system of national examinations such as has existed in Scotland for many years. As regards the latter part of the question, I am not prepared in present circumstances to set up such a council or board as is proposed. The suggestion made will, however, receive careful consideration in the event of there being an opportunity of dealing legislatively with the reorganisation of education in Scotland.