§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Education how many and which local education authorities make arrangements for testing by oral or written examination the progress of scholars in elementary schools; whether, failing such arrangements, any outside examination or inspection of school work is conducted other than by His Majesty's inspectors; and upon what principle, under what circumstances, and at' what intervals do the latter examine scholars in selected schools on behalf of the Board?
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEThe Board have no information as to how many or which local education authorities make arrangements other than examination for the purpose of awarding scholarships to or free places in central or secondary schools, nor as to outside examinations or inspections of school work conducted otherwise than by His Majesty's inspectors. Visits are paid by His Majesty's inspectors to elementary schools for the purpose of testing the progress of scholars in accordance with Articles 21 and 22 of the Code. The intervals at which such a visit is paid to any particular school are no longer fixed. The principles on which the inspection and examination of scholars are conducted by His Majesty's inspectors at their visits are indicated in paragraph 14 of the Prefatory Memorandum to the Code for 1909, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.