Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Unauthorised Encampments

Monday 22 March 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department aims to strengthen police powers for arrest and seizure of vehicles involved in damage, disruption, and distress from unauthorised encampments through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
  • Labour's vote against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill indicates their opposition to giving the police necessary powers to act against illegal Traveller encampments.
  • New laws aim to prevent harassment and disruption of local businesses caused by unauthorised encampments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of unauthorised encampments on local communities in his constituency.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to tackle unauthorised encampments. Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, we aim to strengthen police powers for arrest and seizure of vehicles involved in causing damage, disruption, and distress.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

We are delivering on our manifesto commitment through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. This will strengthen police powers to arrest and seize vehicles of those causing damage, disruption, and distress from unauthorised encampments.

Answered
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Q2 Ben Everitt
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP highlights the Labour party's vote against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill and questions their prioritisation of rights over law enforcement.

Question

My hon. Friend will have noticed that last week, in voting against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, the Labour party also voted against giving the police the powers they need to act quickly and effectively against illegal Traveller encampments. Does my hon. Friend agree it is wrong to prioritise the rights of criminals?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

We balance the rights of Travellers to lead a nomadic life legally with property owners' and communities' right to live without distress. We introduce measures ensuring police have necessary powers to tackle illegal encampments, not tolerating law breaking.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on enforcement mechanism and timeline

How: Hedging Language

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Q3 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Immigration Local Government
Context

The MP discusses a local business disrupted by an unauthorised encampment, seeking confirmation on the effectiveness of proposed laws.

Question

I recently met a local business that was disrupted by an unauthorised encampment and subjected to harassment. Will my hon. Friend confirm our new laws aim to prevent such behaviour?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

My hon. Friend speaks the truth; we facilitate and help Travellers lead a nomadic lifestyle legally, but those crossing into illegality need to be dealt with efficiently through measures in the Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or enforcement mechanism for new laws

How: Hedging Language

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