HC Deb 16 June 1992 vol 209 cc449-50W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will now repeal DES regulation 909; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

The Department is currently reviewing the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981, SI No. 909, as amended, in conjunction with the Welsh Office. While the review is in progress, the 1981 regulations will remain in force. The results of the review are expected to be available later this year.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his estimate of the consequence of DES regulation 909 so far as the upgrading of school playing fields is concerned.

Mr. Forth

The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981, SI No. 909, introduced new quality and suitability requirements for playing fields in addition to minimum area standards. In the 1986 survey of school buildings, local education authorities reported that 5 per cent. of primary and 6 per cent. of secondary schools in the sample needed resources to bring their playing fields up to the 1981 regulation standards. The national estimate of cost, based on the figures reported, is £60 million at November 1985 prices, or £66 million at first quarter 1992 prices.

The survey did not identify the type of improvements in quality and suitability which may have been required. Some of the deficiencies will have been dealt with since 1986.