HC Deb 19 November 1957 vol 578 cc188-9
33. Mr. Simmons

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make it obligatory on owners of caravan sites to provide caravan dwellers on their site with rent books in which the address of the local medical officer of health is clearly stated.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. J. R. Bevins)

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no power to do this, and can see no advantage in it.

Mr. Simmons

Surely the Minister realises that health and sanitary conditions on caravan sites are even more important than in permanent dwellings, and, since many caravan owners do not know the address of the medical officer of health, they have to put up with insanitary conditions? Can he do something about it?

Mr. Bevins

Yes, but the proposal in the hon. Gentleman's Question is that this information should be conveyed through the medium of rent books. As these caravans are not subject to rent control. I do not think that that would be the right way.

34. Mr. Simmons

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will cause a directive to be issued to local authorities containing an indication of the minimum safeguards to be imposed before granting owners of caravan sites a licence to use such sites for caravans used as human habitations.

Mr. Bevins

Local authorities have power to attach conditions to the licences which they grant for caravan sites. My right hon. Friend does not think there is need for him to offer special guidance to local authorities on how they should use this power.

Mr. Simmons

But could not the hon. Gentleman's Ministry which, after all, is concerned about the housing of the people, lay down a specimen set of conditions and rules; and, since many caravan dwellings are held on a weekly basis, can he not give any protection at all in security of tenure?

Mr. Bevins

Of course, there are model conditions in existence already, which some local authorities use. Local authorities, by and large, have this power to set down standards for hygiene, sanitation and so forth, but conditions at the various sites vary so much in different parts of the country that my right hon. Friend does not think it right to issue a general directive.