asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the future of the teachers' reference panels.

As I said in my reply on 15th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour), I have informed education authorities that, because of the improvement in the staffing of secondary schools that is expected in session 1972–73, I have decided that, with effect from 1st August next, the temporary employment of unqualified teachers should no longer be permitted in these schools. I shall lay the necessary amending regulations before the House in due course.So far as special schools are concerned, the panel system will continue until the date on which it is scheduled to lapse, namely 31st July, 1973.—[Vol. 828, c.