§ Sir Eldon GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from exempt organisations seeking to change the limits on rallies allowed under the present provisions of the Caravan Sites Act 1980; what proposals he had made to interested parties; what responses he has received; and what is his policy on the length of time that rallies or similar congregations of persons and vehicles should be permitted to take place without planning consent, and on the controls that are applied to such events.
§ Mr. TrippierI have received one application from an exempt organisation for a certificate which would enable them to hold rallies lasting longer than five days. The Department has sought the views of interested parties and will determine the application shortly. Responses from the ADC, the ACC, the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, the National Caravan Council, the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club have been considered.
Under paragraph 6 of schedule 1 to the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, organisations with a certificate of exemption may hold rallies for up to five days, without the need for a site licence or planning consent. I have no intention of altering that provision at present. Exempt organisations are required to abide by a code of conduct approved by my Department controlling their rallying activities and certificates can be withdrawn in the event of non-compliance.
§ Sir Eldon GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reply to the submissions made by the National Caravan Council and the British Holiday and Home Park Association in May in response to his Department's proposals to extend the time limits during which exempt organisations may hold rallies.
§ Mr. TrippierMy officials are in correspondence with the exempt organisation concerned and we should be in a position to announce the outcome shortly.