HC Deb 10 December 2001 vol 376 cc572-3W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the estimated cost to public funds in 2000–01 of enforcement action by local authorities against travellers. [21461]

Ms Keeble

This information is not collected centrally.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have recently met officers from Brighton and Hove council to discuss issues relating to travellers. [21727]

Mr. Byers

No, but the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) has agreed to meet my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Mr. Lepper) to discuss the issue.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from local authorities on issues relating to travellers and traveller encampments; and if he will make a statement. [21726]

Mr. Byers

My Department receives representations from time to time from local authorities on issues relating to travellers and traveller encampments, particularly about unauthorised encampments. The Government recognise the problems that unauthorised encampments can cause.

We are revising the joint DTLR/Home Office guidance to local authorities and the police on managing unauthorised camping. This follows a review into the effectiveness of the current guidance. We published a summary of the findings on 2 November. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. We will publish the revised guidance early next year and will evaluate its effectiveness in bringing about improvements on the ground. We continue to keep the scope and application of existing enforcement powers under review.