§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what guidelines he has issued to local authorities concerning the safety of children's play areas;
(2) what specific advice he has given to local authorities concerning the synthetic surfacing of children's play areas; and what standards are required.
§ Mr. AtkinsMy predecessor the then Minister for Sport, commissioned the national children's play and recreation unit to prepare a booklet on playground safety for distribution to local authorities. The Department is also producing a booklet on safety in school playgrounds and related matters. Both will include advice on the safety of surfaces and will be published as soon as possible. I regard it as essential that playgrounds should be as safe as possible. Playground operators are required to consider actively how best to discharge their duties of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition, non-statutory guidance exists in the form of British standards, BS 5696—play equipment intended for permanent installation outdoors—and BS 7188—methods of test for impact absorbing playground surfaces.
Her Majesty's inspectorate visits to grant-maintained schools from September 1989 to June 1991 Grant-maintained school Her Majesty's inspectorate visits Audenshaw December 1989 February 1990 February 1991 Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar January 1990 November 1990 Baverstock February 1990 October 1990 February 1991 Heckmondwike November 1989 January/June 1990 November 1990 London Oratory September 1989 February 1990 February/March 1991 Old Swinford Hospital November 1989 March 1990 November 1990 Queen Elizabeth's Grant-Maintained Grammar November 1989 June 1990 March 1991 Queensbury November 1989 May 1990 February 1991