§ 2.50 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF CROMARTIEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will, within a reasonable period, introduce legislation to limit the number of teats at present allowed in unlimited numbers to occupy space in registered caravan parks where, by the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, the number of caravans is strictly limited in the interests of public health.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY of LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (LORD MITCHISON)My Lords, tents placed on licensed caravan sites can already be regulated in the same way as caravans by conditions attached to the site licences. This power should be adequate, and my right honourable friends the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Secretary of State for Scotland are not aware of any difficulties which have occurred where it has been used. I understand, however, that difficulties do occur when campers pitch their tents on land near to licensed caravan sites and make use of the site facilities on them. My 565 right honourable friends are now considering what steps can be taken to remedy this problem.
§ THE EARL OF CROMARTIEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer, which is partly satisfactory. I know that these regulations exist, but they are not effective, and I would ask Her Majesty's Government to consider this matter again, because the people responsible for health in my county and a very experienced medical officer of health have been alarmed at the state of affairs which is arising, and will arise, with the added number of people who come up to my part of the world every summer.
§ LORD MITCHISONMy Lords, I think that the regulations as to camp sites are primarily a matter for the local authorities, but if the noble Earl would let me have particulars of what he has been complaining about I will certainly see that they are investigated. There are really two questions—first of all, what is happening on the sites, and, secondly, what is happening near the sites? It is the latter that may need some consideration by the Ministers concerned.
§ THE EARL OF CROMARTIEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord.
§ LORD BOOTHBYMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he does not think that the immediate solution to this problem is to prohibit the use of tents? They are very unhealthy.
§ LORD MITCHISONNo, my Lords. I personally meet a lot of people who camp in tents and they seem the better for it rather than the worse.