§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to take to satisfy himself as to whether the proposed sale by Ealing council of the Ealing Green high school playing fields at Clayton road. Ealing, for housing development, complies with the provisions of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981; what assessment he has made of the implications of this proposal for the provision of adequate facilities for competitive sports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnThe Ealing education authority has a statutory duty to provide the minimum playing field area appropriate to the size of the school as laid down in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981. Provided these requirements are met, the authority is free to dispose of surplus land if it wishes. The authority is not required to inform my Department of its intention to dispose of land considered surplus, and my Department has received no formal complaints on the matter to suggest that the Secretary of State would be justified in intervening.