§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what action he has taken to ensure that all schools in Wales will meet the standards laid down in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 by September 1991; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what assessment he has made of the cost of bringing (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools up to the standards laid down in the Education (School Premises) Reglations 1981 in (i) Wales and (ii) by local education authority; whether he is making any special arrangements to meet those costs; and if he will make a statement on progress in meeting the provisional arrangements required by the regulations.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe duty of ensuring that school premises conform to the standards prescribed by the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 rests with local education authorities. Information about the extent of their compliance with the regulations is not held centrally, but we are aware that not all schools yet meet the standards. Local authorities have been aware since 1981 of the requirements of the regulations. It is for them to meet their obligations from within existing resources.