11. To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will revise the guidance to local authorities in respect of the application of race relations legislation to planning applications involving Gypsy and Traveller sites to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the police and local authorities in managing such sites. (248949)

The Government have no plans to revise the guidance contained in ODPM Circular 1/06 as suggested by the hon. Member. Local authorities have a general duty under the Race Relations Act 1976, as amended, to actively seek to eliminate unlawful discrimination and to promote good race relations in all they do. We will be publishing good practice guidance on the management of Gypsy and Traveller sites shortly.

20. To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans her Department has for the future of Gypsy and Traveller site provision. (248958)

Planning policy for the provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites is set out in ODPM Circular 01/2006: “Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites”. Local authorities have a duty to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers and identify enough land to meet the number of pitches set out in the regional spatial strategy. The Homes and Communities Agency will continue to provide funding for the provision of new public sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when her Department next plans to review its planning guidance and circulars relating to Travellers. (248951)

The Independent Task Group on Site Provision and Enforcement concluded the Government's planning policies for Gypsy and Traveller sites in England are sound. The Government have committed to keeping Parliament informed on the work undertaken to address the issues they highlighted. We will publish a progress report later this year.