§ 29. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in view of the inevitable long-term shortage of housing accommodation and the growing popularity of caravan homes he will, as a matter of urgency, discuss with all interested authorities the provision of licensed caravan sites as a national problem.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Harold Macmillan)No, Sir. I do not think that the general conference which the hon. Member suggests would prove very useful at this stage.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes not the hon. Gentleman appreciate the disparity in contracts up and down the country with regard to this matter? As the State has so much to say about building non-traditional houses, why should not caravan homes be considered as places where childless couples and families with one child might go, when otherwise they will have to wait for years and their marriages might break up? Is it not worth a trial, in order to reduce human misery?
§ Mr. MacmillanI do not regard caravans as suitable substitutes for houses.
§ Mr. SparksWill the hon. Gentleman take steps to bring within existing legislation the tenancies of caravans which, I understand, are at present outside that legislative protection?