HL Deb 10 May 1973 vol 342 cc506-7

3.7 p.m.

BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Department of the Environment have comimssioned a report on Pop Festivals and, if so, whether the report has been received and will be published.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, the Advisory Committee on Pop Festivals were appointed in August, 1972, under the chairmanship of Mr. Dennis Stevenson to prepare a code of practice on the organisation and conduct of Pop Festivals. The Committee have recently submitted their report to my honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and this will be made available as soon as possible.

BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether the report will be made available before the season of Pop Festivals is over?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, the general public will have to wait for the printing, which may take it beyond the date suggested by the noble Baroness, but I think Mr. Stevenson will wish to have a Press conference fairly soon. At that time copies will be made available to your Lordships, and of course any Pop Festival promoters or local authorities wishing to be consulted may be consulted and have a glance at a copy. The Press will give publicity to it.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, why should it not be published right away? Is it not in the hands of the Government? I may have misunderstood what the noble Lord said. This is a matter of great importance in libertarian terms. Equally, it will be possible then to take a more balanced look at the subject. Since local authorities are confronted with problems of this kind, it is important that the report should be published very soon.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, as the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition will appreciate, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has given his consent; he wishes it to be printed, and it is being printed. It is merely a matter of the time of printing before copies will be available for the general public.

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, is it the intention of Her Majesty's Government that rules and regulations will be laid down centrally, and that no arbitrary decision will be reached by local authorities which override the Government's views on the matter?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, this is a code of practice.

LORD BERNSTEIN

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether the Xerox machine two floors above might be used for the purpose?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I have said that publicity will be given in the Press. Noble Lords will be able to see copies. I am merely saying that it will take time to prepare the final document for the public. It will be a well done job.

BARONESS STOCKS

My Lords, in view of the fact that I think the noble Lord, Lord Harlech, must have extensive estates in Wales, would it be possible, in view of his connection with the promotion of Pop Festivals, to locate them as far as possible on his own property?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I am sure my noble friend will take the noble Baroness's point.