AS recently as last week the Education Secretary Ed Balls stated that the Government was continuing to refuse to sell school playing fields because physical education is a continuing priority.

It appears rather ironic that part of the field behind the Nightingale School in Eastleigh is now the centre of a hive of activity by a construction company rapidly erecting houses thereon. Are we to assume the decision to sell this land to developers was concluded before 1997?

I wonder what is the stance of Eastleigh Borough Council regarding the sale of this land for housing? Were they strong-armed by Government to sell or, a conscious decision by the council leaders?

BARRY BURTON, Fareham.