HL Deb 17 December 1975 vol 366 cc1432-3
Earl of KIMBERLEY

My 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 when the Law Commission's Report on Conspiracy, which deals with Offences of entering and remaining on private property, i.e. squatting will be available

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

My Lords, the Government expect to receive the Law Commission's Report in January and it will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that very satisfactory Answer. Could he possibly say what are the figures of squatters today compared with last July when the same Question was raised in your Lordships' Chamber? Can the noble Lord give an assurance that having received the Law Commission's Report the Government will act very quickly upon it?

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

My Lords, on the noble Earl's first point, I do not think it is possible to quantify the number of squatters. On his second point, this is a matter of importance and, when the Report of the Law Commission becomes available, the Government will look at it with the appropriate sense of urgency.

Lord BLYTON

My Lords, will there be a restriction in the Law Commission's Report that, in the event of a trades dispute, conspiracy charges against trade unionists will not be brought?

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

My Lords, I do not think we can consider that matter until the report of the law commission becomes available.