§ 18. Mr. PopeTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will take steps to halt the sale of playing fields; and if she will make a statement. [12235]
§ Mr. SproatThe Government have made it clear that they do not want playing fields which may be needed now or in the future to be redeveloped. The Sports Council has been made a statutory consultee for planning applications affecting playing fields, with strong policies for retaining playing fields, and minimum area and quality standards have been retained for school playing fields where other controls on schools have been removed. We will consider further action if that proves necessary.