HL Deb 13 July 1966 vol 276 cc111-2

2.25 p.m.

LORD TWEEDSMUIR

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is still their intention to raise the school-leaving age, in Scotland, to 16 in 1970.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND (LORD HUGHES)

Yes, my Lords.

LORD TWEEDSMUIR

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord for his short and optimistic Answer. Is his Answer in no way impaired by the slump in school building and the slump in graduate school teachers?

LORD HUGHES

No, my Lords. We do not admit that the statement in that question is in accordance with the fact.

VISCOUNT STONEHAVEN

My Lords, would the noble Lord agree that from the academic timetable the time until 1970 represents about 2,000 hours? Is that not a rather short time in which to get everything done?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, the only thing I would query about that is the arithmetic and I do not know whether it is right or wrong.

VISCOUNT STONEHAVEN

My Lords, I cannot guarantee it.