§ 5. Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he will now take, in the light of his Department's report, Gypsies and Other Travellers, to ensure that sufficient permanent sites are made available by local authorities for these people.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI understand that the hon. Member himself proposes to introduce a Bill to provide, among other things, for local authorities to make more sites available for gypsies. I am in touch with him and welcome his action.
§ Mr. LubbockIs the hon. Gentleman aware that my Bill, which I hope will provide a long-term solution to the problem, cannot possibly come into force until next summer at the earliest? Is he also aware that the few local authorities that have been taking steps to deal with the problem are faced with an enormous influx of travellers to unauthorised sites, and, therefore, will he urge local authorities to act voluntarily in the meanwhile? Will he also publish the answers to the circular of June, 1966, so that we can see which authorities are dragging their feet?
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI should like to consider the last part of the question before giving an undertaking. I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman that there is no reason why local authorities should not go ahead now—we will encourage them to do so—with the provision of camps, which is the only permanent solution to the problem.
§ Mr. MacdonaldIs the Minister aware that great bitterness is felt among local authorities, and the ratepayers of those authorities, which have actually done something about this? Does he realise that it seems simply to have had the result of attracting travellers into their areas and that they are thus solving other people's problems?
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThis is a case where virtue has sometimes been ill-rewarded. My right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for Wales are very conscious of this and are doing all they can to stimulate all authorities to provide sites.