HC Deb 24 November 1995 vol 267 c387W
Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of how many school playing fields are under threat of development in England. [1558]

Mrs. Gillan

The latest information available comes from the Sports Council's register of recreational land, which at present hold records for around 80 per cent. of all playing fields in England.

According to the register, of the 42,690 school playing fields in England, 850 are subject to existing planning permission or to a pending planning decision.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her estimate of the number of school playing fields that have been sold in England since 1981. [1557]

Mrs. Gillan

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 19 October 1995, Official Report, column376.

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans her Department has to increase the statutory minimum areas of school playing fields. [1468]

Mrs. Gillan

None.