§ 44. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps are being taken in conjunction with local authorities to provide the necessary educational and social amenities including special places where the gipsy population of this country can rest their caravans without undue interference.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. J. R. Bevins)No special steps are being taken, over and above the normal services, and I am not aware of any undue interference. As my right hon. Friend has said before, he will willingly look into any case brought to his notice of local difficulty over sites for gipsy caravans.
§ Mr. AwberyBut this problem has spread throughout the country. These people are being thrown not from pillar to post but from ditch to ditch. Will the hon. Gentleman give serious attention to the problem so that these people may have the amenities that they should have?
§ Mr. BevinsI think the House will agree that the gipsy problem varies from locality to locality. It is up to the local authorities to deal with it. If the hon. Gentleman has any particular difficulty in mind I shall be very glad to have it examined.