HC Deb 24 May 1973 vol 857 cc138-9W
Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take action designed to encourage local authorities [...] fulfil the requirements of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 to provide sites for gipsies.

Mr. Graham Page

Within the last four months the Department has held 19 meetings with groups of local authorities throughout the country in order to encourage the early provision of more gipsy caravan sites.

Mr. Tope

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the latest figures indicating the number of sites and pitches now in operation for the use of gipsy families.

Mr. Graham Page

65 gipsy caravan sites containing a total of 938 pitches have been provided by local authorities in England. The number of privately owned sites is not known.