Gypsies and Travellers

Lord Richard Excerpts

Thursday 16th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall]

My Lords—

[Lord Richard]

My Lords—

[Lord Kilclooney]

My Lords—

[Lord McNally]

Perhaps we could hear from the noble Lord, Lord Richard.

[Lord Richard]

My Lords, does not the problem go rather deeper than the way in which the Minister seems to be approaching it? The noble Lord, Lord Tebbit, put his finger on one of the issues. Is not the fact that there are not enough sites in this country the real reason why so many people who want to live a nomadic life cannot do so? Therefore, they have to go into static accommodation, which they probably do not want to be in anyway, and which no doubt has planning problems and upsets the neighbours. However, the real problem here is that there are not enough sites for nomadic peoples to go to.

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, the noble Lord is right in his analysis. The problem is to find a long-term solution, which is why I referred to the problem of economic activity. Without legitimate economic activity for Travellers, local communities will not be keen on having Traveller sites near them. That is the nub of the problem.