HC Deb 18 March 1965 vol 708 c1460
16. Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to introduce greater uniformity in pass standards in the General Certificate of Education examinations.

Mr. Prentice

I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's reply on 11th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, South (Mr. Merlyn Rees).

Mr. Walker

Did that reply include consideration of the anomalous state of affairs revealed by the West Riding Chief Education Officer, who showed that 28 pupils had been submitted to take examinations set by two different bodies with widely contrasting consequences?

Mr. Prentice

This is a disturbing situation which worries us in the Department and worries the Schools Council. The Council has been given the task by the Secretary of State of a central coordinating authority for the work of the examination boards. It is examining the whole question, including the incident to which my hon. Friend refers.