§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate how long it will take to 96W provide sufficient permanent or transit sites for the present population of itinerants if the average progress in site provision for the last three years were maintained.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneIf the average progress of site provision for the last three years were maintained, it would take approximately 12 years before sufficient private and public authorities' sites were provided for the present population of itinerants in England. However, the full effect of the changes made in 1980 is only now beginning to be felt.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the progress so far in providing sites for itinerants: and if he will take steps to expedite the establishment of an adequate number of sites to meet the problem.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe rate of progress has quickened since the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 extended designation provisions to districts and introduced the 100 per cent. Exchequer grant for the development of gipsy sites. I am satisfied with the present rate of progress, bearing in mind the present constraints upon public expenditure.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many caravan sites for itinerants were established by local authorities in England and Wales in 1981; how many sites were closed; and what is the present number of sites open for permanent occupation.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneDuring 1981, 21 sites were established by local authorities in England, seven sites were closed, and at December 1981 there were 200 local authority sites in total. Figures for Wales can be obtained from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many pitches are available for itinerants; and what is the estimated total number of itinerants or families in England and Wales.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneAt the beginning of January 1982 there were 3,506 gipsy caravans on 3,113 public authorised pitches. In addition, there were 1,595 caravans on private sites.
There are up to 8,000 gipsy families in England at the present time.
Figures for Wales can be obtained from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many transit sites for itinerants have been established in each of the last five years in England and Wales; and how many pitches are involved.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneInformation on the numbers of transit sites in England is not separately available.