HC Deb 14 February 2000 vol 344 cc401-2W
21. Mr. Caplin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in agreeing the operational guidelines with the Association of Chief Constables to deal with unauthorised camping. [108255]

Mr. Straw

Following consultation with the Government, revised operational guidelines on police powers to deal with unauthorised camping were approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers' Council on 28 April 1999 and issued to forces in early May. I have, however, commissioned a review of the joint Home Office/Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' guidance on managing unauthorised camping, in order to ensure that problems associated with these encampments are being tackled as effectively as possible.

27. Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in agreeing the operational guidelines with the Association of Chief Constables to deal with unauthorised camping. [108261]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Following consultation with the Government, revised operational guidelines on police powers to deal with unauthorised camping were approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers' Council on 28 April 1999 and issued to forces in early May. We are, however, commissioning a review of the joint Home Office/Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' guidance on managing unauthorised camping, in order to ensure that problems associated with these encampments are being tackled as effectively as possible.