§ LORD AVEBURYasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information the Secretary of State for the Environment has received from the chairman of the Hertfordshire Federation of Gipsy Support Groups regarding harassment of gipsies in Hertfordshire by the police; and what reply he has made.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)Since November, 1970, the Chairman of the Federation has written four times alleging that the Hertfordshire police are constantly moving on gipsies who are camping unlawfully. Three of the letters enclosed copies of complaints made by the Federation to the Chief Constable of Hertfordshire and the fourth a copy of a complaint to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. The replies have been to the effect that the Department of the Environment has urged local authorities to refrain from moving on gipsies needlessly when there are insufficient lawful encampments for them; that Hertfordshire County Council are among the foremost authorities in the country in providing caravan sites for gipsies; and that the Department of the Environment cannot comment on the actions of the police as this is a matter for the Secretary of State for the Home Department.