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SATs Testing

The body that is responsible for regulating the appeals process and ensuring the quality of marking and the quality of appeals is Ofqual, and that is really its responsibility. Clearly, Lord Sutherland will look at any issue that he wants to, but in the first instance, that is a matter for Ofqual. Lord Sutherland will look at all aspects of the procurement process, including how the contract was specified and procured, and that will include the input from departmental officials and Ministers in my Department in setting the remit. He will look at all those issues and report publicly. Of course I will comment, but I have said today that I will not comment on the details of this process while the commercial negotiations are occurring, because they are financially and legally very sensitive indeed.