HC Deb 09 March 1973 vol 852 cc222-3W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is monitoring how far action is being taken by county councils, following the designation of a county borough area under the Caravan Sites Act 1968, to provide sites for gipsies; and, in the absence of such action after a reasonable period of time, if he will give notice that he will use his powers of mandamus under the Act to direct local authorities to make such provision as he sees fit.

Mr. Graham Page

My right hon. and learned Friend will continue to keep himself informed about the plans which local authorities have for providing gipsy caravan sites; and the Department will be holding regional conferences with local authorities in the next few months to encourage early action. This course seems to my right hon. and learned Friend much preferable to any suggestion that he should use his direction-making power under the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he accepts the figures of the number of gipsies in the North-West as obtained from a recent census by National Council for Civil Liberties researchers, a copy of which is in his possession; and if he will make a statement on its findings.

Mr. Graham Page

My right hon. and learned Friend does not appear to have received a copy of the census to which the hon. Member refers.

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the discrepancies between the 1965 official survey of gipsies and recent surveys of gipsies residing in the North-West, Surrey and Wolverhampton areas, he will take steps to have another national survey undertaken in the near future; and if so, whether he will invite external bodies like university departments or the Centre for Environmental Studies to do the work.

Mr. Graham Page

No. My right hon. and learned Friend is not aware that the question of establishing the precise number of gipsies is impeding the provision of sites. Another national survey would be of greater value when further progress has been made in site provision.