HC Deb 24 June 1993 vol 227 cc246-7W
Sir David Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to extend the period of consultation on his draft advisory circular on gipsy sites and planning to the end of October 1993 to take account of the local authority holiday season and the absence of gipsies from their normal habitats in July and August.

Mr. Curry

Our policy is to allow a reasonable time for interested parties to express their views. In order to clarify gipsies' position in the planning system, it is important that the guidance is issued as soon as possible. I do not therefore propose to extend the two-month consultation period beyond the end of July.