§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidelines he has issued to local authorities to encourage the provision of safety surfacing on play areas; what special financial provision he has made available to local authorities to encourage and enable them to meet this need; and if he will make a statement. [24088]
§ Mr. AncramA handbook, "Playground Safety Guidelines", prepared by the national Children's Play and Recreation Unit, was issued in 1992 to the Association of Local Authorities of Northern Ireland for distribution to local district councils. These guidelines include a section on safety surfacing of play areas.
No special financial provision has been made available to local authorities for improvement works in this area.