§ 17. Mr. Hamlingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will set up an inquiry into the operation of General Certificate of Education examinations at both ordinary and advanced levels.
§ Mr. CroslandNo, Sir. This is one of the main functions of the Schools Council for the Curriculum and Examinations. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of two of the Council's recent publications—"Examining at 16-plus" and "6th Form Curriculum and Examinations".
§ Mr. HamlingIs my right hon. Friend aware that in one of these recent reports, on the physics examination for G.C.E. 'A' level, one of the examiners put in a model set of answers which his colleagues marked and failed him? Does not that indicate that such an inquiry is called for?
§ Mr. CroslandNo, Sir. I am aware that incidents occur which cause a good deal of public unease. They always receive a great deal of public attention. The fact is that very intensive efforts are 1874 made the whole time to improve these procedures. It is also worth bearing in mind that the Schools Council is still a comparatively young body, and although I have every sympathy with what lies behind my hon. Friend's Question, it would be premature now to conduct a brand new investigation into the whole matter.
§ Mr. ArmstrongWill not my right hon. Friend agree that the "O" level has now outlived its usefulness and perhaps the better way is to abolish it altogether?
§ Mr. CroslandMy hon. Friend will certainly have read one of the reports that I have mentioned, "Examining at 16-plus" which discusses in great detail what the rôle and future of the "O" level ought to be. But this is said quite reasonably to be put forward as a basis for general discussion and comment, and we ought to allow a certain amount of time for discussion and comment before any of us come to a firm conclusion.