§ Ms Janet AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the relationship between Ofsted and the Department for Education.
§ Mr. Robin SquireOfsted is a non-ministerial Government Department established by the Education (Schools) Act 1992. It is headed by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector for Schools, Professor Stewart Sutherland, who is required to advise my right hon. Friend on the quality of education and standards achieved in schools and to oversee the new system of independent four-yearly inspections of schools.
My right hon. Friend wrote to all hon. Members on 11 November 1992 explaining the work of Ofsted and its relationship with the Department.