§ 47. Mr. EasthamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on children's playgrounds in the light of the Consumers' Association survey on children's playgrounds, published in April, a copy of which has been forwarded to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnThe Government welcome this report by the Consumers' Association which will be of interest to everyone with a responsibility for children's playgrounds and should be useful to them in reviewing their policies and practices. The Department's general requirements on school playgrounds are set out in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 which require up to two thirds of a school's recreation area to be paved or have a hard porous surface. The remaining area need not be paved.