Education Inspectors (Hansard, 1 December 1992)

§ Mr. Hutton
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the expected salary costs for 1992–93 for higher education inspectors.

§ Mr. Forman
A total of £1.2 million, including national insurance contributions by the Department.

§ Mr. Hutton
To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many inspectors are currently employed by the Higher Education Funding Council.

§ Mr. Forman
The Higher Education Funding Council for England is in the process of establishing its arrangements for the assessment of higher education. In preparation for a full programme of visits in 1993, the council has carried out test assessments using the services of four inspectors seconded from the Department. The council will make appointments shortly.

§ Mr. Hutton
To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many of Her Majesty's inspectors were employed in 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

§ Mr. Forth
The number of full-time equivalent HMI employed by the Department on 1 April each year since 1989–90 was as follows:

1 April 1989–479

1 April 1990–462.5

1 April 1991–482.5

1 April 1992–466.5

Since 1 September 1992 HMI engaged in the inspection of schools and teacher training have been members of the independent Office for Standards in Education, headed by Professor Sutherland, Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools.