Major MALONEasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that cheap certificates of birth under the Education Acts are refused to parents who wish for them in order to give evidence of age for pupils at elementary schools desiring to compete for free places in secondary schools; and whether he can arrange for cheap certificates to be issued in this connection?
§ Dr. ADDISONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am advised that the provisions of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, to which the hon. and gallant Member refers do not apply to the cases mentioned in the question; and legislation would accordingly be necessary to extend this application in the manner desired. I am informed, however, by my right hon. Friend that local education authorities and governors of schools can accept other evidence of age than certificates of birth, and that he is not aware that any difficulty arises in practice.