§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Football Association with regard to the School Premises Regulations 1981; what replies he has sent; if there is any action he proposes to take about the concern expressed to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Football Association has expressed its concern that the 1981 regulations specify smaller areas for school playing fields and its fear that local education authorities might sell surplus land to the detriment of schools and the community. I have replied that the new regulations were formulated after a careful and detailed study of current curricular practice and that local authority associations share my view that the new requirements represent an overall improvement.
The 1972 regulations specified minimum areas but imposed no requirement about the nature or quality of the playing fields. Under the 1981 regulations, land can count towards the minimum legal requirement only if it is suitable for the playing of team games and laid out for that purpose; and playing fields must be able to sustain use for a minimum of seven hours per week.
Authorities can consider any surplus land for use by the school and the community; they can make the surplus available for the sole use of the community; or they can dispose of it. This is for their decision.