§ 36. Mr. DunnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to change planning law to introduce penalties for the unlawful occupation of public and private land by traveller families; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryFrom 2 January this year we increased tenfold the maximum summary penalty on conviction for those contravening an enforcement notice or stop notice, from £2,000 to £20,000. There is no upper limit on the penalty on conviction on indictment. We have also strengthened the enforcement and stop notice provisions. We do not think it is appropriate, in the absence of enforcement action by the planning authority, to make unauthorised development itself a criminal offence.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to tackle the problem of illegal camping by gypsies and other travellers; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BaldryThe Government are firmly committed to addressing the nuisance caused to local communities and local authorities by gipsies' and other travellers' camping illegally; we are committed to reviewing the operation of the Caravan Sites Act 1968, and hope to publish our proposals shortly.