§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate his Department has made of the number of gipsies moving about the country without permanent homes.
§ Mr. MarksThere are thought to be between 8,000 and 9,000 gipsy families in England and Wales, and my Department estimates that almost three-quarters, or nearly 30,000 gipsies, have no pitch on an official site, and must camp illegally wherever they can.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the Cripps Report on the Countryside to be published.
§ Mr. MarksI assume the hon. Member is referring to the Cripps Report on Accommodation for Gipsies. As I said in answer to a Question on 10th January 1977, the report has been submitted to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. It is now being printed, and it is expected to be published within the next two months.