§ 18. Mr. Macdonaldasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has now received from all local authorities the replies requested within six months by his June circular on the provision of camp sites for gypsies; and if he will now make a statement about legislation to ensure that the sites are used when provided.
§ Mr. MacCollNot all the replies have been received. We are pressing the others to complete their investigations in order that my right hon. Friend can judge what further action is needed.
§ Mr. MacdonaldDoes my hon. Friend really intend that my constituency, where the problem is vitally urgent, has to wait until every leisurely local authority has replied before the Minister can act?
§ Mr. MacCollNo, but we have to wait, as I said in a previous Answer, until all the other neighbouring authorities which are involved in the problem have explained what they will do.
§ Mr. LubbockWill the Minister confirm that when his circular was issued in June last year, replies were requested from local authorities by the middle of December, 1966? Why has he now granted them an extension of time until 1st March, 1967? Is not this another example of the delaying action which local authorities always exercise over any attempt to deal with this problem?
§ Mr. MacColl1st March was the date for the London boroughs, which were not covered by the circular. The date for the circular remains the end of December and we are taking steps to get replies from the authorities which have not yet furnished them.
§ Mr. DeedesIs the Minister aware of the handicap that this policy imposes upon counties such as Kent which are trying to reach a sensible solution but find it impossible unless other counties coordinate their arrangements?
§ Mr. MacCollIt is because the difficulty which faces counties like Kent makes it necessary to get the other authorities to participate that my right hon. Friend is taking steps by means of the circular to do just that.