§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in view of the recent case in the city of Carlisle when the local authority applied successfully to the courts for authority to remove travelling families from its car park but the police were unable to enforce the court's decision, if he will amend the law, to enable the local authority in conjunction with the police to move such families to permanent or temporary sites; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe police have no power to enforce orders of the civil courts for the removal of people from private property, nor would it be appropriate to place such a duty upon them. I understand that the police will usually attend while orders are enforced by bailiffs, in order to prevent a breach of the peace, and that the Cumbria constabulary did so on the occasion refered to.