Mr. Paul Benson:

I do not disagree with the Vice Chairman's point. The way the question is framed makes it clear that identification as a Traveller in no way influences whether someone's application is approved or whatever happens with it. It is not one of the assessment criteria. That is an important point. However, there is certainly a job of work to be done with local authorities, the people who deal face to face with Travellers, be those social workers, Traveller accommodation liaison officers or tenancy sustainment officers, and Traveller representative associations, which have called for this measure and are supportive of it, to overcome the fear about ticking that box. If we do not get people to identify, it will be difficult to expect local authorities to be able to plan for the accommodation of Travellers.