To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Statement of 16 December 2008, Official Report, columns 991-93, on the Sutherland Inquiry, on what dates between June 2007 to July 2008 staff of his Department drew their own assessments of risks in the Key Stage Testing Contract to the attention of Ministers in his Department; what concerns were raised; what action Ministers took in each case; and if he will make a statement. (246177)

As Lord Sutherland reported, DCSF had comprehensive arrangements in place to monitor QCA’s performance, including good project and risk management processes which provided thorough coverage across the Department’s business. Between June 2007 and early July 2008 (when the NAA alerted Ministers to the likely delays to the release of test data), DCSF officials reported their assessment of risks to DCSF Ministers on several occasions. Ministers also received regular updates on national curriculum test delivery from the QCA and NAA, who continued to reassure Ministers as late as 17 June that delivery remained on track. Ministers responded to these assessments by seeking reassurance from QCA and NAA that they had suitable action in hand to secure delivery of their contractors’ obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families on what occasions during 2008 referred to in the Sutherland Inquiry reference: 4.137, officials from his Department escalated their assessment of risk associated with the marking of key stage 3 and key stage 2 national curriculum tests to Ministers; and what subsequent action Ministers took on each such occasion. (246273)

As Lord Sutherland reported, DCSF had comprehensive arrangements in place to monitor QCA’s performance, including good project and risk management processes which provided thorough coverage across the Department’s business. Between January 2008 and early July (when the NAA alerted Ministers to the likely delays to the release of test data), DCSF officials reported their assessment of risks to DCSF Ministers on several occasions. Thereafter, Ministers also received regular, and at least weekly, updates on national curriculum test delivery from the QCA and NAA, who continued to reassure Ministers as late as 17 June that delivery remained on track. Ministers responded to these assessments by seeking reassurance from QCA and NAA that they had suitable action in hand to secure delivery of their contractors’ obligations.