(1)The chief inspector shall have the general duty of keeping the Secretary of State informed about—
(a)the quality of education provided in local education authority institutions,
(b)the educational standards achieved in such institutions, and
(c)whether the financial resources made available to such institutions are managed efficiently.
(2)When asked to do so by the Secretary of State, the chief inspector shall—
(a)give advice to the Secretary of State on such matters relating to local education authority institutions, and on such other matters relating to further education, as may be specified in the Secretary of State’s request, and
(b)inspect and report on any such local education authority institution, or any such class of local education authority institution, as may be so specified.
(3)In connection with the duties imposed on the chief inspector under this section, his powers, and those of his inspectors, in relation to the inspection of schools under any enactment shall extend to the inspection of institutions under this section.
(4)In relation to any local education authority institution maintained or assisted by them, a local education authority—
(a)shall keep under review the quality of education provided, the educational standards achieved and whether the financial resources made available are managed efficiently, and
(b)may cause an inspection to be made by persons authorised by them.
(5)A local education authority shall not authorise any person to inspect any institution under this section unless they are satisfied that he is suitably qualified to do so.
(6)A person who wilfully obstructs any person authorised to inspect an institution under or by virtue of this section in the exercise of his functions shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
(7)In this section—
(a)in relation to institutions in England, “chief inspector” means Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools in England and “his inspectors” means Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in England,
(b)in relation to institutions in Wales, “chief inspector” means Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales and “his inspectors” means Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in Wales, and
(c)“local education authority institution” means an educational institution, other than a school, maintained or assisted by a local education authority.