asked the Minister for the Environment if he will formulate a national programme for itinerant settlement as a matter of priority; and if he will provide adequate funding to enable this programme to commence at the earliest possible date.
Written Answers . - Itinerant Settlement Programme .
555.
: The programme which I am following is essentially in line with that followed by my predecessors. The basis of that programme is that local authorities are given every possible encouragement and assistance in providing accommodation for travelling families. Families willing to be housed, and entitled to housing, should be given due consideration under local authority statutory schemes of letting priorities. For those who cannot appropriately be housed, places on serviced sites should be made available.
Capital is allocated for every approved proposal of a local authority for special accommodation schemes and for serviced sites; 100 per cent subsidy on annual loan charges is also made available. Accommodation provided under the regular housing programme is financed in the normal way under that programme. I have asked each manager to give me detailed information as to the extent of their need for capital for special accommodation up to 31 December next. Adequate funding is available to support the programme.
Recently I wrote to each city and county manager asking for intensification of effort in providing accommodation, particularly in those areas where progress has been slow. Full implementation by local authorities of their responsibilities would result in much more progress being made in providing suitable accommodation for families living on the roadside.
The Travelling People Review Group, which was set up in January 1981 to review current policies and programmes, recently concluded its meetings and its report is expected shortly. Their recommendations will receive my close attention as regards the future of the settlement programme.