§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what inspections of secondary schools have been undertaken by Her Majesty's inspectors where the report of inspection is unpublished; if he will publish a list showing, for each local education authority, the school and relevant dates of inspection; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what inspections of primary schools have been undertaken by Her Majesty's inspectors where the report of inspection is unpublished; if he will publish a list showing, for each local education authority, the school and relevant dates of inspection; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThere are currently 168 reports by Her Majesty's inspectors on primary and secondary schools in preparation. However, although, in general, reports move sequentially through to publication, there are various positive reasons why individual reports may be accelerated through the process of preparation, with the result that some others have to be held back. In addition, some delays can occur for a variety of reasons. In view of these factors, to publish lists in the form requested would risk ill-founded conclusions being drawn as to why one particular report was taking longer than another. As I said in my reply to the hon. Member on 26 February at column 352, Her Majesty's inspectorate has asked management consultants to review their procedures.