HC Deb 12 February 1980 vol 978 cc523-4W
Mr.Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received asking him to introduce legislation to make squatting of any kind illegal.

Mr. Whitelaw

None.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to make squatting of any kind illegal.

Mr. Whitelaw

Squatting usually amounts to trespassing, in respect of which civil proceedings can be taken, and under the Criminal Law Act 1977 it is an offence for a trespasser to fail to leave residential premises when asked to do so by an occupier. I have no present plans to change the law.

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