§ 37. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs in view of the increasing problems and hardships facing gipsies in finding places where they can live in caravans within the law, and the difficulties that arise in providing accommodation for those who are prepared to make the change, if he will make a statement in respect to the application made to him by the Kent County Council for his approval in setting up a permanent gipsy encampment, giving details of the main features of the proposal.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend has amended the Kent Development plan, on the application of the county council as local planning authority, and after a public local inquiry, to allocate land at Great Chart in West Ashford Rural District for a caravan site for gipsies and other travellers, and to designate it for compulsory acquisition.
§ Mr. DoddsI thank the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply, and also the West Ashford Rural District Council for its courageous and humanitarian decision, which is in marked contrast to the shameful treatment of gipsies in other parts of the country. Will he do what he can to develop this idea, especially for the sake of the children involved, so that in future this country will be in a much better position to criticise the treatment of coloured people in other countries?
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend has already welcomed the efforts made by this local authority to provide for the needs of these people.
§ Sir G. NicholsonDoes my hon. Friend appreciate that it is widely felt that this picturesque and harmless community is in danger of being crushed out by a rather soulless bureaucracy? Will he pay a little more attention to its interests in future?
§ Sir K. JosephThis example is one that may be followed.