HC Deb 21 April 1964 vol 693 cc1074-5
5. Mr. Stainton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will amend the model standards affecting permanent residential caravan sites issued in accordance with Section 5(6) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960, to include a prescribed form of rent book which will also record the tenancy conditions between the site operator and the caravan dweller, stipulate a minimum period of notice of one month for a caravan to quit a licensed site, and make provision for six- monthly inspections of such sites by the local medical officer of health and fire prevention officer or their staffs.

Mr. Corfield

I do not think matters of this kind can appropriately be included in the model standards.

Mr. Stainton

Is not the Minister aware that these permanent caravan sites scattered over the countryside account for many thousands of families and that there is a general feeling that it is not good enough to discard this question on this kind of basis? There is no special mechanism other than private prosecutions for enforcing licences and, even so, the licences are often not sufficient in many major regards.

Mr. Corfield

As far as licences go, the local authority, of course, has not only power to lay down the conditions but to enforce them. However, I am not going to pretend to my hon. Friend that I think that the regulations are entirely perfect. If he would like to talk to me about any particular case, I shall be delighted to do so.

Mr. M. Stewart

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of complaint from caravan dwellers about the unsatisfactory behaviour of licence holders and that this part of the legislation needs looking at? Will he and the Minister also do something to encourage local authorities to develop sites of their own in cases where caravan dwellers do not get a fair deal from a private site owner?

Mr. Corfield

I agree that in many cases the answer lies in sufficient sites, and, if necessary, sites provided by local authorities. We put no obstacle in the way of the latter; in fact, we encourage it.