§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how long he intends to allow Kirklees and Calderdale local authorities to have to make suitable caravan site provision before he decides to issue directions to those authorities to make such provision; what is his assessment of how many sites each local authority should provide; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeMy Department is in discussion with both authorities. The statutory requirement on metropolitan districts is to provide for 15 caravans. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will give a direction to either or both authorities if he considers it necessary to do so.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to delay the granting of designation of caravan sites in Bradford until he is satisfied that adjacent authorities have made suitable site provision.
§ Mr. ChopeNo. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already decided to designate Bradford on the grounds that it is not expedient for that authority to make adequate provision for the gipsies residing in or resorting to the area. We are continuing to monitor closely action being taken in respect of the provision of sites by neighbouring authorities.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he took account of in 671W considering an application from Bradford council to designate caravan sites in Bradford about (a) the cost and location of existing and proposed private caravan sites and (b) improvements Bradford council intends to make to council-owned caravan sites in Bradford.
§ Mr. ChopeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State took account of all relevant factors before deciding to designate Bradford, including those relating both to private site provision, and to the improvements which the council proposes to local authority sites.