§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that students being presented for the Scottish Certificate examination are expected to answer compulsory questions on Shakespeare and optional questions on others; if he will include the works of Robert Burns in this examination paper; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossOnly in the higher grade paper has a question on Shakespeare been compulsory, and it has always included at least one optional question on Burns. The Ordinary grade paper, which has no compulsory questions, has normally included at least one question which can be answered on a knowledge of Burns alone. The examination is now the responsibility of the Scottish Certificate of Education Examination Board, and I have no doubt that the experienced teachers who will prepare the examination papers for the Board are well aware of the importance of Burns's poems in the education of Scottish children.