§ Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet completed his review of school leaving arrangements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossFollowing careful consideration of the many differing representations put to me in the course of the review of the present school leaving dates system, I have decided to put proposals before Parliament to introduce the following school leaving arrangements in Scotland:
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- (a) Children reaching the age of 16 on or between 1st March and 30th September will become eligible to leave school on 31st May;
- (b) Children reaching the age of 16 on or between 1st October and the last day of February will become eligible to leave at the beginning of their school's Christmas holidays.
I hope that legislation to give effect to these proposals will be introduced during the current Parliamentary Session.