§ 23. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many local authorities have removed the turnstiles from their public lavatories following the issue of his recent circular requesting them to do so; how many turnstiles still remain; and when he anticipates they will all be removed.
§ Mr. RipponMy right hon. Friend regrets that comprehensive figures are not available at present, but he will shortly be asking local authorities what action they have taken on the circular.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I regularly receive letters complaining that these turnstiles are still in position? I received one only the other day complaining of a particularly vicious one at Penmaenmawr. Will not the hon. Gentleman issue another circular immediately to local authorities instructing them to open the gates at these turnstiles pending the completion of work to remove the structures completely?
§ Mr. RipponA large number of authorities have taken action. At least ten authorities which bought and proposed to install them are not going to do so. Four authorities—Blackpool, Clacton, Liskeard and Looe—are still maintaining what I might call a lockout, but we are in communication with them. We will certainly take action fairly shortly to make sure that the others are brought into line.