§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many maintained schools have outside toilet facilities. [52086]
§ John Healey[holding answer 23 April 2002]: The Department does not collect information on the number of toilet facilities in schools.
In 1998–99, the Department had a £35 million programme for the construction of internal toilet facilities so that it would be unnecessary for any children to have to use lavatories accessible only from outside. 450 projects were supported through the programme which should have addressed the issue, although it was down to individual Local Education Authorities to identify needs and apply for a grant. Also, many schools would have retained toilets adjacent to playing fields, and in some cases to serve temporary classrooms.