A Disappointing Bill This week's debate on the Government's Education
Bill should have put an end to any controvergy. Over the Government's educational policy. So far it has "been possible for the Government's supporters to believe sincerely that the Bill is intended to make fifteen the normal school leaving age, and that any exemptions are to be exceptional. But on Tuesday Mr. S. F. Markham moved an amendment which would leave no doubt that this was the intention of the Bill, and quoted in justifica- tion the Government's election pledge. He was sharply and severely reprimanded by Mr. Stanley and told the Government's pledge could not bear such an interpreta- tion. Mr. Stanley is the proper authority where his own words are concerned ; but it is certain that the country never put on the pledge the construction he claims for it, -for it means that the Bill is to raise the school leaving age only for such children as have failed to find "beneficial employment,"—a phrase so indefinite that it may mean any employment at all.
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