§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will seek to extend his proposed scheme for financial assistance to local authorities providing gipsy caravan sites to include grants for repairs to sites damaged by the vandalism of gipsy residents;
(2) whether he will seek to extend his proposed scheme for financial assistance to local authorities providing gipsy caravan sites to include grants to those councils which have provided sites in response to Government advice within the past two years;
(3) whether he will seek to extend his proposed scheme for financial assistance to local authorities providing gipsy caravan sites to include compensation to owners of neighbouring properties adversely affected by the sites.
§ Mr. MarksDetailed guidance to local authorities about grants towards capital costs of providing gipsy caravan sites is contained in DOE circular 11/79. Grant is available for new and upgrading works contracted since 19 July 1978. This could include reconstruction of damaged sites but local authorities might need to meet items of direct replacement from revenue. The Department is available for consultation about the availability of grant for specific items of expenditure but it is not possible to provide retrospective payment of grant. The provision of a gipsy caravan site does not involve matters of injurious affection governed by the Land Compensation Act 1973 and therefore any case for compensation would need to be pursued through the courts.