HC Deb 15 February 1984 vol 54 cc258-9
40. Mr. Bill Walker

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what instructions his Office has given to procurators fiscal with regard to the contravention of health and hygiene regulations by individuals who park a caravan in a layby.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland (Mr. Peter Fraser)

No instructions relating specifically to such matters have been given to procurators fiscal.

Mr. Walker

I thank my hon. and learned Friend for that reply. Is he aware that in my constituency there have been a number of cases in which individuals who have been charged with motoring offences have given their addresses as laybys in the constituency? Is he further aware that they have been carrying out the business of car and caravan repairs, causing health hazards as a result of vermin and other problems?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

I am aware that a number of travelling people have been sited at addresses where they have had encampments in laybys. I must emphasise that the fact that they are so cited confers no legal authority on them to be there. I hope that my hon. Friend will take it as recognition of the fact that the policy of non-harassment, which has excited some controversy, extends only to unlawful encampment, as this demonstrates, and does not extend to other crimes and offences, which are properly brought before the courts.

Mr. Buchan

Is the Solicitor-General aware that this question is part of a vendetta which the hon. Member for Tayside, North (Mr. Walker) has been waging against the travelling people for a long time? Is he further aware that the real criminals are the Tory Members of Parliament who have failed to persuade the local authorities to provide the right kind of sites and facilities for the travelling folk? [Interruption.] Regardless of interventions, is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that that is the crucial point and that it becomes almost a racial matter when it is taken to the extent that the hon. Member for Tayside, North takes it?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

The hon. Gentleman shows an extraordinarily superficial lack of understanding of the issue. A number of his hon. Friends have been to see the Secretary of State and the Lord Advocate to express their concern over the matter.

Mr. Buchan

Give them sites.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

As the Secretary of State and I have said, there is a policy of non-harassment. The Scottish Office is doing everything to encourage the development of sites, and in Perthshire, in particular, that provision has already been made.

Later:

Mr. Bill Walker

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. During questions to the Solicitor-General for Scotland you will recollect that the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Buchan) made an accusation about me, which was incorrect. I was responsible for my local authority changing the decision and bringing about the practice of having sites for travelling people in my constituency. Because of that, I thought that it was right that I should put the record straight, because there are now more travelling people in my constituency than before the decision was taken.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman has had his say.