§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to tighten up the law on squatting; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackAs my hon. Friend knows, we are firmly committed to introduce legislation to tighten up the law on squatting. It is important that any new provisions deal effectively with this clearly unacceptable activity while striking the right balance between the criminal and the civil law. Any new provisions must also be both fair and enforceable. We have been giving very careful thought to the form which legislation might take and will announce our conclusions as soon as possible.