TRAVELLER LAW REFORM

Early day motion 44, tabled 13 November 2002 by Kevin McNamara (Labour). Signed by 80 members.

That this House notes that gypsies and travellers are one of the most excluded groups of people in the country who experience the highest infant mortality rate, the lowest life expectancy, the worst accommodation provisions, the highest illiteracy rates and the most racist press coverage which lead to the most complaints to the Commission for Racial Equality; further notes that a humane society is defined by its treatment of groups such as Travellers who have a right to decent places to live, equal to that of the settled community; acknowledges that reported anti-social behaviour is a consequence of long-term social-exclusion that will not be reversed by harsher penalties but can be addressed by a responsible sites policy; urges the Government to prioritise initiatives to raise the social inclusion of the Traveller community; and suggests that the Government introduces the Traveller Law Reform Bill as tabled in the last parliamentary session.

Signatures by party: Labour 56, Liberal Democrat 17, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.