§ 6. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what was the total amount of National Assistance paid to gypsies and other travellers in Darenth Woods, near Dartford, for the two weeks ended 20th January prior to eviction; and what was the comparable amount for the two weeks ended 3rd February following eviction to the grass verge of the A.2 trunk road by the Dartford Rural District Council.
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter£37 12s. and £288 2s., respectively.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes not that information, for which I thank the right hon. Gentleman, show, when only six people out of 300 were on National Assistance, how unjust it was to say that they were lazy layabouts living on public funds? Does not the sharp increase in the number on National Assistance after they were evicted emphasise the callousness of the local council which, in the middle of winter, put them on the side of a trunk road, where it was particularly difficult for them to earn their living?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am responsible only for what I say and, as the hon. Member will realise, I never said anything of the sort. It is not for me to comment on the operations of a local authority.
§ 12. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what 894 decision has been reached by the National Assistance Board about the need for assistance for the purchase by the owners of oats, chaff and hay in order to avoid undue suffering for the 25 horses and one mule which, because of the dangerous traffic hazards, have to be tethered for long periods by short lengths of chain on the verge of the A.2 trunk road, near Dartford, as the result of the eviction of the gypsies from Darenth Woods by the Dartford Rural District Council, on 20th January.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe Board informs me that it has so far made no payments for this purpose. Applications from the gypsies who are receiving assistance for the maintenance of their families, on the grounds that the payments made to them are insufficient to meet all their commitments, have been and will be considered in the light of all the circumstances.
§ Mr. DoddsI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that statement, but will he keep very much in mind that to a gypsy, whose home is on wheels, a horse is very important and must be kept in good condition? After three weeks by the side of the road some of these horses are looking half-starved, and if the position—which is revolting in Britain in 1962—continues very much longer, there will be suffering amongst some of the animals due to the callousness of the local council.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn general, of course, relief of hardship amongst animals is not one of the responsibilities of the National Assistance Board, and I therefore prefer not to add to the Answer which I gave. As the hon. Gentleman is well aware, a great deal of what he said in that supplementary question, whatever its merits or demerits, is not for me.