HC Deb 28 March 1973 vol 853 cc1300-1
27. Sir Gilbert Longden

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department is taking to deal with the problems caused by itinerant tinkers on the A41 between Bushey and Watford.

Mr. Graham Page

My Department has called a meeting, which is taking place today, to consider further with the local authorities concerned what steps might be taken.

Sir Gilbert Longden

I am glad to hear that answer. Is my right hon. Friend aware that his Department, from the Secretary of State down, has long been aware of the scandalously polluted state of this road and the flagrant flouting of the law by these itinerant tinkers? Is he further aware that many suggestions have been advanced by the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, South-West and other even wiser minds, but that nothing has been done about the situation?

Mr. Page

I know that my hon. Friend is most concerned about the situation, and I am also concerned about it. Unless sufficient sites are produced elsewhere it is difficult to force the gipsies off their existing site. I recollect that on one occasion when I ordered gipsy caravans off a site next door to another place, I was shocked on the following morning to learn that they had landed on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Mr. Allason

Will my right hon. Friend consider the situation in regard to litter? Is he satisfied that the laws are adequate, since these itinerant tinkers are now being permitted to make a disgusting mess of the countryside with no action being taken against them?

Mr. Page

There are laws to deal with the situation—such as those involving public health nuisance, obstruction of highways, litter and many others—but the present law requires county authorities to provide sufficient sites within their areas. Although the Hertfordshire County Council has been one of the most forward authorities in providing sites it has not yet got to the point where we can say that there are sufficient sites and that designation can be applied to the whole county.

Sir Gilbert Longden

I regret that in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I must give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.