§ 30. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the designation EIIR was used as a watermark in the last issue of the Scottish Leaving Certificates.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonSpecial paper of this description is supplied for the use of several Government Departments and has been used for Scottish Leaving Certificates since 1953. Only one complaint has been received.
§ Mr. RankinWas that complaint in addition to this one? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that four years ago when the history teachers in Scotland protested against the use of this mark on the examination papers they were assured by his Department that the matter would receive consideration? Is the consideration represented by the transfer of this designation to the obscurity of the Leaving Certificate, and is the Scottish Education Department now going to encourage the teaching of false history in Scottish schools?
§ Mr. MacphersonAs my Answer showed, this particular paper has been used for the certificates since before four years ago. It has only recently come to the attention of my right hon. Friend who has now, so to speak, seen through his own certificates for the first time.
§ Mr. RankinMay I assume that the Secretary of State for Scotland will do something about this matter and remove the issue of these certificates from the man in Whitehall?
§ Mr. MacphersonIt is intended that this year the certificates shall be printed without the watermark, and after that a new system is being devised which will in any case necessitate a further change.