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Education and Inspections Bill

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his response and I join him in paying tribute to the work of Ofsted. I was surprised that he sounded surprised that 92 per cent of parents are in favour of school inspection. As a parent, I think that inspection is crucial. I have never come across a parent who does not think that it is important to have transparency and accountability. Ofsted has performed a brilliant role in making parents feel comfortable and assured that the school to which they send their child and in which they put their faith for their most precious possessions is assessed. There is a feeling of accountability, which was sorely lacking before, and of confidence in the school system. I will not detain the House at this late hour. Obviously we are disappointed in the Minister’s reply although we are somewhat reassured by some of the things that he said. I should like to think about his response to our amendment. I hear what he says about our looking for something that perhaps is not mirrored in another way. For now, I feel that it is best to beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 134 [Annual reviews of local authorities in England]: [Amendments Nos. 133 and 134 not moved.] Schedule 13 [Interaction with other authorities]: