§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the number of squatters occupying property without legal right; what he estimates the cost to the lawful owners to be; what are his policies with regard to restoring the use of the properties to their rightful owners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonWe have made no such estimates. Our measures to bring vacant and under-occupied property into fuller use, and our housing policies generally, should reduce both the opportunities for squatting and the circumstances that have prompted it. But I should add that policy on the application of the criminal law to entering and remaining on property and on the civil law of trespass are the responsibilities of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, respectively.