John Elvidge: "Cheap shot"

Appearing before the education committee, John Elvidge, head of the Scottish Education Department, said he had pursued concerns about the exams from March this year.

However, there was no evidence that the authority could not cope until the end of June, when the full extent of the problem emerged.

"By that time, we were at one minute to midnight," he said.

"I cannot think of any intervention that we could have made at that stage which would have changed the outcome."

But MSPs argued those concerns had not been properly followed through.

Scottish National Party member Fiona McLeod asked what it would take to set alarm bells ringing in the department.

Mr Elvidge described her question as "a cheap shot".

David Elliott: "Steep learning curve"

Former director of awards David Elliott told the committee he might have seen problems if he had possessed more computer knowledge.

"Someone with more experience in data processing might have spotted the problems sooner. I was clearly on a learning curve," he added.

And former SQA chief executive Ron Tuck, who resigned early in the controversy, said he would have delayed the release of the exam results if he had known the scope of the problems.

Mr Tuck told the enterprise and lifelong learning committee on Tuesday that the problems at the SQA arose because of the pressures put on the "overstretched" organisation.

He said the "crucial flaw" that led to the problems with certification lay in the management of data.

Head's warning

Meanwhile, a Scottish headteacher has warned that he is prepared to turn his back on the SQA in favour of an English exam board if it means a fairer deal for students.

Dumfries Academy rector Charles McAteer said his school had been failed by the SQA for two consecutive years.

He said this year's fiasco had been predictable in light of the authority's failure to listen to the concerns of teachers and others.

In a newsletter to parents, Mr McAteer said he would consider using an English examination board offering GSCEs and A-levels - instead of their Scottish equivalent - if the SQA could not guarantee that pupils would not be disadvantaged by its system of certification.

He admitted he was unlikely to be able to make the move unilaterally and that it would have to be a political decision by Dumfries and Galloway Council.