HC Deb 24 February 1904 vol 130 cc849-50
LIEUT-COLONEL TUFNELL (Essex, S.E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a communication from the Rochford Rural District Council pointing out that, notwithstanding the adoption by local authorities of the model bye-laws of the Local Government Board with respect to tents, vans, sheds, and similar structures, and the fact that prosecutions and fines have followed their adoption, the nuisance caused by gipsies tends to increase; and, if so, whether the Local Government Board will revise the model bye-laws with a view to their being made more stringent in the interests of public health.

MR. WALTER LONG

I have seen the communication referred to. The model series of bye-laws issued by my Department are intended as a general guide to local authorities in preparing bye-laws for their districts, and I am not aware that local authorities have usually found the particular series in question to be insufficient. It is, however, competent for the Rochford Rural District Council, subject to the provisions of the enactment relating to the matter, to make bye-laws in addition to those included in the model series. If they submit any such bye-laws to me I shall be happy to give consideration to them.