§ 42. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received on the subject of restoring the school leaving age to 15 years.
§ Mr. ArmstrongA number of correspondents have expressed this view or have said that it should not have been raised to 16 in the first place.
§ 44. Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has yet had an opportunity to study the anomalies and inequities arising from the raising of the school leaving age; and if he will now make a statement.
§ Mr. ArmstrongAt least a full year's experience of the operation of the higher 395W school leaving age will be required before a start can be made on any adequate assessment of its effects. My right hon. Friend will shortly be considering the results of consultation on the limited question of a possible early leaving date in the summer term.