HC Deb 07 April 1971 vol 815 cc438-9
31. Mr. MacArthur

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's advice to local authorities concerning the administration of sites for use by gypsies and other travelling people.

Mr. Younger

In a recent circular my right hon. Friend drew authorities attention to the relevant recommendations in the report on "Scotland's Travelling People", and to the grants being made available to local authorities in this connection, adding that his Department would be glad to supplement the advice about the administration of sites.

Mr. MacArthur

Has my hon. Friend received any reaction from the travelling people to his proposals? Does he share my belief that there will be a wide welcome for this positive response to their problems?

Mr. Younger

I thank my hon. Friend for what he has said, and I am glad to be able to tell him the Travellers Liaison Committee has warmly welcomed the new proposals made by my right hon. Friend. I am certain that with good will on all sides this may herald a new era for the travelling people.

Mr. James Hamilton

Can the hon. Member give me the assurance that he will expedite any request for assistance he may receive from Lanarkshire County Council with regard to the two sites it has made available? Is he aware that literally every weekend when I go back to my constituency I am bogged down with this problem over Bellshill and that local councillors tell me that it is because of the inactivity of the Scottish Office that they are not able to deal with this?

Mr. Younger

I can tell the hon. Gentleman that I have no information at all to suggest that my Office is any way behindhand in helping with these matters. If there are any problems which the Lanarkshire County Council would like sorted out, it is welcome to come to my Department, and also to Lord Birsay's Advisory Committee, which ought to be able to help, too.