asked the Minister for Education if he will state, in respect of the 1970 leaving certificate examination, the percentage of students obtaining honours (i.e. grades A, B and C) in English who obtained grade A, and the corresponding percentage in the case of Irish, mathematics and chemistry; if he will indicate the reason for the relatively low percentage in English as compared with the other subjects; and if he will ensure that in the marking of the 1971 examination the same standard will be applied in the case of honours English as in other honours subjects.

The information sought by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

I have brought what is implied in the Deputy's question to the attention of the examiners concerned.

Following is the statement:

Leaving Certificate Examination, 1970

Are the percentages of passes in grades A, B and C higher or much lower than in previous years?

I cannot say in relation to grades B and C but they are certainly lower in English in grade A.

Would the Minister look into that?

I informed Deputy Cosgrave in the reply that I have brought this matter to the attention of the examiners.