§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a list showing, for each quarter of each year in which Her Majesty's inspectors' reports of inspections of schools have been published (a) the number of reports of full inspections published in the quarter and (b) the average time in months between dates of such inspections and dates of publication in that quarter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe detailed disaggregated information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1986 a total of 936 reports of all kinds by Her Majesty's inspectors were published. The quarterly split was as follows:
Number 1983 January to March 29 April to June 66 July to September 63 October to December 79 1984 January to March 87 April to June 60 July to September 46 October to December 61 1985 January to March 40 April to June 48 July to September 64 October to December 52 1986 January to March 84 April to June 60 July to September 31 October to December 66 The average time between inspection and publication is close to one year. It remains the aim of Her Majesty's inspectors that reports should be issued to individual institutions within six months of an inspection. They are reviewing their procedures. However, no institution or governing body has to wait that long to know the findings of an inspection. Her Majesty's inspectors discuss these and other matters with the head or principal during and at the end of each inspection, and with the governing body shortly after.
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