§ Mr. MUNRO FERGUSONasked the Lord Advocate whether any change proposed under the Code of Regulations for Day Schools, with a view to further restriction of the size of class to be taught by one teacher will be made the subject of consultation with school boards before any decision is reached; whether considerable notice will be given of the precise nature of any change contemplated; whether he is aware that the provision in Article 138 of the Code, under which no class for instruction by one teacher should exceed thirty in number unless in circumstances specially sanctioned by the Department, will involve in Glasgow an expenditure of £1,500 for absolutely no 1667W return, though the higher grade and secondary schools there are at present adequately staffed on the average arrangement; and whether he will reconsider the decision to withhold the higher rates specified in Article 142 (b) and (c), in respect of pupils who have not been in attendance for at least six months at the preceding course in the same or other recognised higher grade school?
§ Mr. UREThe prefatory note to the Code has been inserted for the express purpose of giving school boards ample opportunity for making representations on the subject, and considerable notice will be given of the precise changes that may ultimately be resolved upon. The new form of Article 138 simply applies to higher grade schools conditions as to staffing which already apply to secondary schools, such as the Glasgow High School. The "average arrangement" is, in the view of the Department, not a sound basis for staffing, and there seems no reason why it should continue to be accepted in the case of higher grade any more than in the case of secondary schools. The alteration in the footnote to Article 142 (b) and (c) simply makes explicit the existing practice of the Department in the matter, from which there seems to be no good reason for departing.