§ 2.45 p.m.
§ Lord RodneyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage neighbourhood watch schemes.
The Minister of State, Home Office (The Earl of Caithness)My Lords, recent steps to encourage schemes include the first national neighbourhood watch conference which was held in Newcastle on 8th December last and the launch, on the same date, of a new quarterly magazine, Good Neighbour. The third phase of the "Magpies" television advertising campaign which commences later this month will encourage members of the public to join neighbourhood watch schemes.
§ Lord RodneyMy Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend the Minister for that answer. Can he confirm that some local authorities have been making a charge for the exhibiting of the signs that watch committees demonstrate from time to time? If so, can he say which authorities are concerned?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, those authorities which have taken an obstructive line with residents who wish to set up neighbourhood watch schemes include Greenwich, Newham, Haringey, Hackney, Lambeth and Manchester, the well known hard Left councils. I can tell my noble friend that the Department of the Environment is currently considering whether deemed consent could be given to neighbourhood watch street signs thus removing the need for planning permission and planning fees.