HC Deb 18 October 1990 vol 177 cc877-8W
Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is given to local authorities on the criteria for deciding land suitable for use as residential gipsy traveller sites; and whether these or other criteria relate to land designated for housing purposes.

Mr. Key

Circular 28/77 and the site design guide, which is currently being revised, give guidance to local authorities on the criteria which they should follow in selecting land as suitable for gipsy sites. The criteria do not refer to whether the land in question is designated for housing purposes.

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent estimate has been made of the shortfall in the provision of residential sites for gipsy and traveller people; and in which ways local authorities are encouraged to meet their obligations to provide sites.

Mr. Key

A spot count of gipsy caravans is undertaken on behalf of my Department by metropolitan-district councils in England every six months. At the time of the count in July 1990 a total of 11,967 caravans were recorded, of which 4,610 (38.5 per cent.) were on unauthorised sites.

The Caravan Sites Act 1968 placed a duty on county councils, metropolitan districts and London boroughs to provide sites for gipsies residing in or resorting to their area. The Government provide 100 per cent. grant aid towards the reasonable capital costs of construction of sites.