§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will strengthen the guidance on the disposal of playing fields; and if he will make a statement. [163662]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggSection 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 was introduced on 1 October 1998 to stop the indiscriminate sale of school playing fields that occurred in the 1980s and early to mid 1990s. During this time there was widespread concern at the unrestricted sale of school playing fields. 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. Local authorities and governing bodies of all maintained schools now need the Secretary of State's consent before they can dispose of a playing field or any part of a playing field. Applications to sell school playing fields are only approved where it is clear that they meet the needs of local schools and their communities and that any proceeds are used to improve school sports provision or education facilities. We are continuing to keep the guidance, which was last revised in July 2001, under review.