12. Miss Leeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he has considered the representations made to him on behalf of the residents in Gorsey Lane Caravan Site, Great Wyrley, Staffordshire; and, in view of the uncertainty regarding the future of this project, if he will give an undertaking that the number of caravans in occupation will not be gradually reduced and that their five-year lease will be replaced by permanent security of tenure.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend has considered the representations made to him by the hon. Member. He understands that this caravan site was started without planning permission, but that the owner has since received a permission subject to conditions which provide for a gradual run-down of the site and its final closure in 1965. If the owner is aggrieved at the conditions imposed, he has a right of appeal to my right hon. Friend.
Miss LeeIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is one of the outstanding caravan sites in the district? It is of an exceptionally high standard. Can he not say just a little more? Can he not give the residents just a small ray of hope by at least saying that until the whole merits are gone into there will not be a running down of the site, because nothing could be more dangerous to hygiene and safety than for the site to be gradually run down?
§ Sir K. JosephFirst, there is a right of appeal, which has not yet been exercised. Therefore, I must be careful not to comment on the merits of the case. Secondly, the hon. Lady is evidently misunderstanding the word "run-down". This does not mean that there can be any eviction at all for the moment. It simply means that voluntary leavers are not replaced. The site cannot be brought to an end under the present condition until the end of 1965, and there is a right of appeal against both the time limit and the run-down condition.