Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Marsh (Crossbench). It was answered on Wednesday, 16 July 2008.

Gypsies and Travellers: 2011 Census

Question: My Lords, does the Minister agree that, although it might be quite romantic to know about Gypsies, caravans and all that lovely stuff, they can be a massive problem for people who live in rural areas?

Answer: My Lords, the Government have been called many things, but I do not recall romantic being one of them. This concept is not a romantic one; it is concerned with factual issues to guide public policy to reduce the very problems which the noble Lord suggests arise from time to time. When we are in a better position to assess the population concerned, we will be better able to provide it with the necessary sites and make provisions in other respects and to avoid the tensions that occur when provision is not there.

Secondary information