asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the need to overhaul the control, administration and finance of Scottish education, he will advise the setting up of a Royal Commission to examine and report at an early date on these matters; and if he will make a statement.

No, Sir. Such an inquiry would be inappropriate in view of the review of local government finance now in progress.

In view of the fact that Scottish education over the past 30–40 years has been examined by committee after committee dealing with different sections without correlation, does not my right hon. Friend agree that if we are to have a review of local government from the point of view of its finance and structure we might also have a comprehensive review of Scottish education as a separate service, rather than have the matter dealt with on a basis of sectionalisation, as has happened in the past?

The review taking place within this sectional inquiry will be of considerable value to us. My hon. Friend asks for a report at an early date. I must warn him that Royal Commissions do not usually report at an early date. They take two, three or four years, or even longer.