§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to amend the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 so as to 182W preclude the availability of sports halls, swimming pools and other physical education facilities being used in any assessment of the need for outside playing fields.
§ Dr. BoysonNo. The provision reflects established practice stemming from the provisions in the Standards for School Premises Regulations 1972. This has allowed local education authorities to provide facilities for physical education that are appropriate to the local circumstances. It has proved to be particularly valuable in urban and inner city areas where suitable land for playing fields is not available.