§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on Government policy on the provision of gipsy caravan sites.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe provision of gipsy sites is, by law, the responsibility of the local authorities. The Government believe that the many problems arising from unauthorised camping can only be solved by providing enough official sites and our policy is to give authorities all possible advice and assistance in carrying out that responsibility. My Department has recently appointed an advisory officer for that purpose.