Gypsies and Travellers

Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall Excerpts

Thursday 16th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, the noble Lord makes an interesting point. However, we all know what the problem is: poor education among Travellers; poor health outcomes; low life expectancy; and severe discrimination. We have policies to mitigate all these. However, at strategic level, successive Governments do not appear to understand what legitimate economic activity consistent with their culture Travellers should be engaged in. I will be taking up that matter with my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

[Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall]

My Lords—

[Lord Richard]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Earl Attlee]

I broadly agree with what the noble Lord is saying. Everyone has rights but they also have obligations—and the obligations are to comply with the law.

[Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall]

My Lords, I wonder whether the Minister could return to the question from the noble Lord, Lord Laming. The noble Earl said that he had received a briefing from the Department for Education on the issue raised by the noble Lord. Is he prepared to share with the House what the briefing says?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, I will have to write to the noble Baroness.