§ 64. Mr. Reader Harrisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he proposes to introduce legislation to control gypsies of the Irish tinker variety; and whether he will give assistance to local authorities in south-west Middlesex to prevent the nuisance caused by such gypsies on private property and on the highway verges.
Mr. GrossmanNo. I believe that local authorities can best help to solve this problem by providing properly equipped sites where gypsies and other itinerants can go. I issued a circular last week, urging them to do so.
§ Mr. Macdonaldasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in connection with Circular 26/66 about provision of camp sites for gypsies by local authorities, whether the cost of providing these sites is to be recoverable from rents; on what basis the occupants are to be selected; and if he is satisfied that the existing powers of local authorities are adequate to control the sites.
§ Mr. CrossmanRents and selection of occupants are matters for local authorities to settle. I am satisfied that they have adequate powers to control the sites.