§ 2.37 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF MANSFIELDMy 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 have considered the Report of the Camping Working Party to the Department of the Environment ; and, if so, whether they will commend to local authorities the draft model standards contained in Annexe 4 to the Report.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)Yes, my Lords. My right honourable friend and I are now considering comments on the recommendations of this Report made by the interested bodies consulted by the Department. Legislation will be necessary to give effect to most of the recommendations. But I am glad to have this opportunity of inviting local authorities to have regard, wherever possible, to the draft model standards in advance of these being given statutory authority.
§ THE EARL OF MANSFIELDMy Lords, may I thank my noble friend for that reply? May I also ask him whether he is aware that pressure on touring pitches for touring caravans is now so bad in the high season that, for instance, in Western Scotland the demand is now four and a half times the availability? Secondly, is my noble friend aware that the insistence of local authorities on draft model standards being followed to the letter has considerably reduced the amount of new pitches that would otherwise become available? Thirdly, would my noble friend go a little further than he did in his Answer, so that local authorities may pay heed to those new model standards that do not need any legislation to bring them into force?
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, I think I have gone as far as I can. I have commended the model standards to local authorities, in spite of the fact that we are still in process of consultation. It may well be that when a circular is issued giving effect to such recommendations of the Camping Working Party's Report as can be implemented without legislation there will be another opportunity to commend these model standards ; but full statutory authority for them can be given only when time has been found for legislation in this field.