§ Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will explain the discrepancy of 1,600 day school lower certificates for 1929, stated in the report of the Council on Education to be 10,961, whereas the number stated in the Table V appended to the report is 9,361; if he will explain why the examination for these certificates is restricted to pupils who are about to leave school; and whether he will consider relaxing this restriction, which imposes hardship on pupils who, if they fail, must leave school without a certificate of any kind?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONAs stated in the report, the first figure quoted by the hon. Member refers to the calendar year 1929, whereas the second refers to the educational year ending 31st July, 1929. Further, the former figure includes the certificates granted to pupils in secondary departments, while Table V covers only primary schools and departments. With regard to the second part of the question, presentation for the day school certificate (lower) is not restricted to pupils who are about to leave school. Pupils may be presented when they have completed two years in an advanced division, though the certificate is not issued until they leave school. In these circumstances, the last part of the question does not arise.