Yesterday, Anne Main initiated a debate on the EERA (East of England Regional Assembly) Consultation to increase the numbers of traveller site allocations in Hertfordshire.

Yesterday Anne Main Conservative MP for St Albans initiated a debate on the EERA (East of England Regional Assembly) Consultation to increase the numbers of traveller site allocations in Hertfordshire. She was joined in the debate by Hertfordshire MPs, Meg Munn the Government Minister and Lorley Burt who spoke for the Liberal Democrats nationally.

Both Minister Meg Munn and Lorely Burt denounced the efforts of local St Albans District councillors and residents to reject a significant increase in traveller pitches.

Liberal Democrat spokeswoman rejected the views of local Lib Dem Councillors and "castigated" portfolio holder Cllr Chris Brazier's decision to reject the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) figures for the number of site provisions for gypsies and travellers. She also stated that it was the national Liberal Democrat policy to provide more sites nationally.

She was also "amazed that [Anne Main] complains about the provision of traveller sites".

The wide ranging debate was dismissed by Ms Burt, which focussed firmly on the questionable EERA consultation; the lack of democratic accountability; and the data which is informing the 'need' to provide an additional 34 pitches in the St Albans District.

The Government Minister dismissed local concerns as "groundless prejudice" and urged people to get a 'sense of proportion'.

The Government Minister also dismissed the local concerns raised; failed to address the flawed consultation; and refused to acknowledge the genuine concerns of St Albans residents bordering the proposed site areas.

Anne said:

"This was an important debate that tackled a sensitive subject. Sadly, the Government united with the Lib Dems spokesperson to it make crystal clear that their national policies are for more sites and pitches - regardless of what is being said locally.

"The Government's response to the debate was a disgrace. The Minister refused to acknowledge the very valid concerns of my constituents about the consultation despite the generous provision of pitches in St Albans already.

"St Albans has a right to know that it is only the Conservatives who have a consistent message on this matter: Regional Assemblies should be scrapped; communities should only be asked to make fair site provision for gypsies and travellers; and crucially local people should not be dictated to.

"We now have on record that Labour and Lib Dem High Command intend to ignore not only local people but their own Councillors.""