§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many caravan sites for itinerants have been established by local authorities in England and Wales during each of the last four years.
§ Mr. MonroThe net increase in the number of local authority sites in England and Wales in each of the last four years has been:
- 1977—16
- 1978— 6
- 1979— 1
- 1980—16
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to strengthen the powers of local authorities with designated area status to prevent itinerants moving from one site to another; and if he will introduce legislation at an early date to simplify and speed the legal process to prevent itinerants, once removed, from occupying another site within that local authority area for a period of 12 months.
§ Mr. MonroAfter consultation with the local authority associations the designation powers have recently been both strengthened and streamlined, in the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. So my right hon. Friend considers it premature to consider further legislation.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require all local authorities with a known problem of itinerants to submit to him a list of possible sites within six months and, failing local agreements, to hold an inquiry to determine where a site shall be established.
§ Mr. MonroCounty and London borough councils have a statutory duty to provide adequate accommodation for the gipsies in their area. So it is for them to determine the level of site provision necessary—and most authorities have already drawn up a programme of site provision.