§ Mr. GrieveTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to collate centrally the number of applications to sell off playing fields by schools by(a) location and (b) local education authority. [19818]
§ Mr. ByersThere is no requirement upon local education authorities to apply for permission before disposing of the assets which they own. Grant-maintained schools do need the prior consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State before they may dispose of their assets. Information on the number of applications received from these schools to dispose of playing fields is already collated centrally.