§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his policy is on the period for which the Department's personnel records in respect of teachers and Her Majesty's Inspectors should be retained; and what requirements on the retention of these records have been included in contracts with private sector organisations which hold such records. [105656]
§ Mr. MilibandThe Department maintains records on individual teachers for the purpose of administering the Teachers' Pension Scheme. Document retention and destruction policy is in accordance with the requirements of the Public Records Office. The obligation to comply with Public Records Office policies forms part of the contractual requirements on the private sector administrators of the Teachers' Pensions Scheme. Personnel files on Her Majesty's Inspectors are held by OFSTED. All files are retained for the purpose of pensions administration for 12 years after pensions become payable in individual cases.
Other data on teachers is held by the General Teaching Council as required for its regulatory function and in accordance with regulations.