HC Deb 22 June 2000 vol 352 cc268-9W
Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many sales of school playing fields he has(a) approved and (b) rejected in each month since October 1998; [125928]

(2) what the acreage is of the school playing fields whose disposal he has (a) approved and (b) rejected in each month since October 1998; [125929]

(3) what has been the total sale value of school playing fields whose disposal he has (a) approved and (b) rejected in each month since October 1998. [125930]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 15 June 2000]Before October 1998, there was no regulation of the sale of school playing fields whatever. If a local authority wanted to sell a school playing field, there was nothing to stop it and it could spend the proceeds as it wished.

To put a stop to the indiscriminate sale of school playing fields, the Government introduced Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Section

Sale of school sports pitches approved under Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 since 1 October 1998
Number of sales Area (m2) Total sale value (£)
Approved Rejected Approved Rejected Approved Rejected
1998
October 1 16,000 2,414,000
November 2 71,665 2,250,000
December 4 51,780 1,283,000
1999
January 2 75,900 1
February 6 139,180 12,645,000
March 6 171,100 6,670,000
April 10 177,590 6,122,000
May 7 93,450 13,430,000
June 2 2 51,300 51,500 90,000 516,000
July 2 82,500 5,160,000
August 1 33,000 32,600
September 1 9,000 650,000
October 2 36,500 1,280,000
November 2 56,800 2,180,000
December 3 27,110 1,320,000
2000
January 2 14,360 806,500
February 1 48,300 3,100,000
March 1 5,880 150,000
April
May 4 41,780 12,520,000
June 2 28,170 1,200,000
1 Not known

Notes:

1. All sale proceeds are used to provide new or improved sports or education facilities at maintained schools.

2. 40 per cent. of applications are in respect of sports pitches at closed or closing schools.

3. In 66 per cent. of cases at operating schools, the sale proceeds have been used to provide new or enhanced sports facilities, including sports halls, all-weather pitches or improved grass sports pitches.