75. Mr. PRESTONasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received a report from the National Society of Art Masters in England in 591 favour of the acceptance of the Edinburgh College of Art diploma, with Chapter VI qualifications, as a degree equivalent; and whether, seeing that these qualifications are the highest an art teacher can obtain in Scotland, he will, after the necessary consideration, take steps to accord recognition to this Scottish diploma?
§ Lord E. PERCYI have received a copy of the Report in question, but as the Report was made to the Burnham Committee it is, in the first instance, a matter for that Committee, not for the Board. The hon. Member appears to be misinformed as to the recommendation made in the Report, which is that the diploma should be accepted if certain changes are made in the conditions of award. I may add, however, that my Department are considering, in consultation with the Scottish Education Department, the question of exempting persons who obtain the diploma from some of the requirements for the Board's teaching certificate for teachers in Schools of Art. This latter qualification has been accepted as a degree equivalent.