§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for the implementation of the Education (Schools) Act 1992.
§ Mr. PattenI have decided to recommend to the Queen in Council that Her Majesty should appoint Professor Stewart Sutherland, Vice-Chancellor of the university of London, as Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in England for five years in the first instance with effect from I September 1992. I am delighted to have been able to secure Professor Sutherland's services for this important new job. I should like to thank the university of London for having accepted that he should take on this responsibility concurrently with the balance of his term as Vice-Chancellor of London university and indeed to be available immediately to help with the preparations for the new office.
The new schools inspection arrangements which we enacted in the last Parliament are a key component of the parents charter published last autumn. Professor Sutherland will bring just the right blend of academic distinction, administrative experience, authority and commitment to ensure the success of this initiative.
So as to be able to receive advice on matter relating to the strategic planning of the new office I have today appointed Professor Sutherland as a part-time consultant to the Department on the creation of the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools.