HC Deb 05 February 1963 vol 671 cc219-21
29. Mr. Barnett

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will urge on local authorities the importance of pro- viding an adequate supply of residential caravan sites in their areas.

Mr. Corfield

Generally speaking I think that in the main the provision of residential caravan sites can be left to private developers. The important thing in my right hon. Friend's view—and this has already been made clear to the local authorities—is that permission for the establishment of such sites should not be refused unnecessarily.

Mr. Barnett

Is the Minister not aware that there has been a considerable increase in caravan dwelling and that in many parts of the country there are not sufficient sites available for people to dwell in caravans? Will he reconsider his opinion in this respect?

Mr. Corfield

I think that where there is a demand there are almost certain to be planning applications, which, if they are turned down, come to my right hon. Friend and these matters of need are considered.

Sir W. Wakefield

Has the Minister a list of those local authorities which have made it quite clear that under no circumstances will they give permission within their areas for any residential caravans?

Mr. Corfield

No, Sir.

Mr. M. Stewart

Would the Minister agree that it ought to be part of the duty of local authorities to make sure that there are adequate sites in their areas for the need, and that if private developers are not meeting that need they should meet it themselves?

Mr. Corfield

As the hon. Gentleman knows, local authorities have the power to do that, and I think he would agree that this is essentially a matter for local people to decide on local needs.

30. Mr. Barnett

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will consider amending the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960, in such a way that the issue of licences as specified under Section 3 of the Act shall depend on the licensee undertaking to give a reasonable security of tenure to his tenants.

Mr. Corfield

My right hon. Friend does not think it would be practicable to deal with this matter by legislation.

Mr. Barnett

Is the Minister aware that there have been a number of cases of people who have been evicted from what is their only home, from a caravan site, and that many of these people are young married families and old-age pensioners who have suffered considerable hardship as a result, and that there is, therefore, a strong case for some kind of security of tenure being written into the Act because of this hardship?

Mr. Corfield

I appreciate the problem raised by the hon. Gentleman, but there are very considerable difficulties where we have site operators responsible for carrying out the conditions of licence under pain of considerable penalties. I suggest that the corollary is that site operators must have rather more control over tenants than would be proper in housing estates. This can be a dilemma—I realise that there are a minority of site operators who behave badly in this respect.