HC Deb 10 June 1958 vol 589 cc2-3
1. Mr. Remnant

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many caravan sites are in existence in Berkshire without having received planning approval; how many have received neither planning approval nor a public health licence; and how many applications are under consideration.

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

I understand that my hon. Friend has now received this information from the county council.

Mr. Remnant

As I have not received this information, will my hon. Friend please stop stalling and give me the information and attend to this highly chaotic state of affairs which is doing a great deal of harm and causing hardship to these caravan dwellers?

Mr. Bevins

I assure my hon. Friend that I have no intention whatever of stalling, as he calls it. My information is that these details have been passed to him by the county council. I might also add that my right hon. Friend has agreed to meet a deputation of my hon. Friend and certain other hon. Members on this subject.

Mr. S. Silverman

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Would it be possible for other Members of the House besides the Parliamentary Secretary and the hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant), who asked the Question, to know what this is all about? The Question put down by the hon. Member for Wokingham asked the Minister for certain information. The Minister's reply has been that the hon. Member has received that information from somebody else. Does that absolve the Minister from the obligation to give the information to the House?

Mr. Speaker

The Question is one asked by a certain hon. Member, and the Answer is personal to him. I do not think the Question was so phrased that the Minister should be obliged to publish the information on a local matter.

Mr. Remnant

As I have not received the information, unless the reason be that it was not available, would my hon. Friend mind if I put the Question down again? Would he then give me the Answer?

Mr. Bevins

As my hon. Friend clearly has not received this information, contrary to my advice, I will very gladly give it to him.

Mr. Silverman

Why does the Minister not give it to the House?