§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to ease travelling show-people's planning problems.
§ Mr. MoynihanMy right hon. Friend has published today a consultation paper inviting views by 13 July on a proposed amendment to the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988. This would enable up to five residential caravans inhabited by travelling show-people and their families to be stationed without planning permission on land which is the subject of an annually renewable certificate granted by an organisation authorised by my right hon. Friend. It would also enable the land to be used for the purpose of maintaining and storing fairground equipment used for their business. The consultation paper also invites views on a proposed amendment to the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, so that site licensing and planning requirements may be aligned. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will be consulting on the same basis.