asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of working persons under 18 years of age attended day-release classes in Scotland in 1956–57 and in the latest year for which figures are available, giving proportions for boys and girls separately.

Eleven per cent. of insured persons under 18 attended day-release classes in 1956–57, and 12·4 per cent. in 1962–63. Separate figures for boys and girls are not available for 1956–57; for 1962–63 they were 20·9 per cent. for boys and 4·2 per cent. for girls.

Is it not time that all the Ministers for Scotland looked into this matter again? Is it not shameful how badly off we are in Scotland compared with other parts of Great Britain, even though other parts of Great Britain are badly off compared with what is happening elsewhere? Will the noble Lady express her shame and concern that the results are what they are, and will she see to it that something is done at once about this desperately urgent matter?

Without doubt, the figures are disappointing, but a number of new colleges have been opened in an effort to deal with the problem, and we have also passed the Industrial Training Act. I think that these measures, together with the special publicity undertaken, ought to help to improve the situation.

Will my noble Friend give special attention to increasing the present small number of girls who are given day-release?

I agree that the figures for girls are not at all good. I understand that part of the reason is that many of them do not go in for apprenticeships, and also, of course, employers are inclined to think that they may get married. No doubt this is true, but I do not share this view about girls—[Laughter.] I hope that girls will get married, but I do not share the view that employers should not try to let them go on day-release. What we have done in the new colleges which are coming into use is to encourage the authorities to give, for instance, commercial education and catering education. We hope that this will assist.

What action have the Scottish Office taken since the publication of the Henniker-Heaton Report on day-release?

What I said in answer to the last supplementary question gave some indication of what we are doing. Of course, we did have the equivalent of the Henniker-Heaton Report in 1962, and we are studying that as well.