§ 20. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will take the necessary steps to give protection to caravan dwellers against unreasonable charges imposed by owners of caravan sites.
§ Sir K. JosephNo, Sir. If in any particular case it is considered that charges are unreasonable my right hon. Friend would advise an approach to the local authority to inquire whether alternative sites are or can be made available.
§ Mr. LiptonThat is a most unsatisfactory reply which does not in any way help the very large number of caravan dwellers in various parts of the country who are being grossly exploited by the owners of caravan sites. In those parts no alternative sites are available and 862 the caravan dwellers are at the mercy of the site owners. If I send the Parliamentary Secretary details of such exploitation, will he, apart from sending a soothing and non-committal reply, take appropriate action?
§ Sir K. JosephYes, but it would be more appropriate if details were sent to the local councils which, under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, are given power to make sites available if necessary.