I expect the evidence will be there to demonstrate that we have come a long way

Bill Morton

Mr Morton said he understood that last year's debacle had undermined confidence in this year's process.

But he stressed the way of checking the accuracy of results had been significantly bolstered.

And he said that barring any mishap in the postal system, all candidates would receive their results on 14 August.

He also defended the decision to send results to schools before candidates and played down claims - made last year - that the problems with the 2000 results had been caused by computer problems.

The SQA chief refused to be drawn into speculating what the future might hold for him because his contract, which saw him move to the body on secondment, finishes in November.

He praised his staff for the efforts they had made in times of great change.

"My chairman and I have both said publicly that in our estimation it could take three years for the SQA to be truly operational.

"But this year I expect the evidence will be there to demonstrate that we have come a long way," he said.