HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 125 cc660-1
6. Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for maintaining a close relationship between individual schools in Wales and their local community, and to ensure full community use of school buildings in holiday periods, at weekends and in the evenings.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Our policy remains that while the use of school buildings for community use is desirable, the extent to which it takes place must be a matter for local education authorities and school governors.

Mr. Michael

Does the Minister agree that the best of local authorities in Wales have sought to maximise the community use of buildings and to maintain a proper balance between community needs and the direct educational needs of the schools? Does he agree that that careful balance is under threat with the Government's impending education legislation? Will he give an assurance that safeguards will be built in to ensure that that balance is maintained in future?

Mr. Roberts

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman that the balance is under threat. I assure him that the position is as follows. Under the Education (No. 2) Act 1986, school governing bodies are required to have regard to the desirability of school premises being available for community use, but there is no duty imposed on them to provide for such cases. That is the position now. Of course, under the current Education Reform Bill, there is the possibility of community use of school buildings, but their primary purpose is as school buildings, and we have no intention whatsoever of interfering with the duties of the governing bodies of such schools. It is up to them to maximise the use that they make of their school buildings for community purposes.

Mr. Coleman

As playing fields and recreational facilities have been paid for out of the public purse, will the Minister undertake to ensure that those facilities are withheld from public use by opted out schools?

Mr. Roberts

I have made the position clear. We are currently discussing the issue, which features in the Education Reform Bill. As the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) knows only too well, we are coming up to those clauses which deal with financial delegation to schools. I am sure that the fundamental principle—that the buildings were built primarily for school use—will remain effective, but it will be up to governing bodies to maximise their community use.

Mr. Alex Carlile

Does the Minister agree, first, that the most community-orientated schools in Wales are the small village schools and, secondly, that, in general, the best primary education in Wales is provided by small village schools?

Mr. Roberts

I have no great difficulty in agreeing with either of those propositions.