§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many acres of school playing fields have been sold off in the last 10 years; and what is the policy of the Government towards the sale of(a) playing fields and (b) school playing fields. [3189]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer Monday 23 June 1997]: Local Education Authorities are not required to report their disposals of playing fields to Central Government and consequently no central record of playing field sales exist. Provided their schools continue to comply with the requirements for minimum playing field area in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996, Local Education Authorities may dispose of land belonging to them without reference to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.
The Government intends to make sure that those playing fields which schools and their local communities need are not sold in the future. The Government is considering, urgently, a wide range of options to ensure that all school pupils and communities will have access to proper sports facilities.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the selling of playing fields. [5386]
§ Mr. BanksThe Government intends to make sure that those playing fields which schools and their local communities need are not sold in the future. The Government is considering, urgently, a wide range of options to ensure that all school pupils and communities will have access to proper sports facilities.