School Playing Fields Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many school playing fields sold since May 1997 he was informed were used by (a) local community clubs and associations and (b) after-hours sports groups; (2) how much revenue has been made from the sale of school playing fields since May 1997; and what total area of such fields has been sold in that period; (3) if he will list the school playing fields sold in London since May 1997; (4) how many sales of school playing fields since May 1997 were subsequently subject to a planning inquiry; (5) how much money raised from the sale of school playing fields since 1997 has been directed towards state funding of (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership schemes; and to list the projects involved. Jim Knight Since 1997, the Department has approved 174 applications from local authorities and schools to dispose, or change the use, of areas of school playing fields which are capable of forming at least a sports pitch, that is, greater than 2,000 sq m. Such applications are considered initially by the School Playing Field Advisory Panel, which provides independent advice on the extent to which individual applications meet the published criteria. In providing its advice, the panel will have regard to any existing community use, including use by after-hours sports groups, and will ensure that any community users are fully consulted and their interests protected. The Department does not keep any records relating to the consultation with local authority and other users. The Department does not have comprehensive data as to how much revenue has been made from the sale of school playing fields. This may be because the sale does not actually go ahead or, even if it does, the Department is not necessarily informed. However, the estimated value of the land for which approval has been given is £278 million involving an area of 273 hectares. The information requested about the use of the sale proceeds in relation to the private finance initiative and public private partnership schemes is not held centrally. There is, however, an expectation that all proceeds from the sale of school playing fields will be re-invested to provide, firstly, new or improved sports facilities at schools or, secondly, will be used to help raise standards by providing educational facilities. Almost half of the land for which approval has been given is at schools that have closed. Since 1997 the Secretary of State has approved the disposal of areas of playing field at 13 schools in London. These are: Ashmole School—Barnet; North Cray Primary School—Bexley (closed); Bow Lane Playing Fields—Camden; Penn Special School—Camden (closed); Haling Manor School—Croydon; Northolt High School—Ealing; Albany School—Enfield; Brantridge Special School—Greenwich; Gibbs Green Special School—Hammersmith and Fulham; Heathermount School—Hammersmith and Fulham (closed); Francis Bardsley School—Havering; Anerley School for Boys—Lewisham (closed); Eastfields High School—Merton (closed). The Department does not have any information as to the number of playing field disposals that have subsequently been subject to a planning inquiry.