Subject to the provisions of this and the next following section, it shall be the duty of every local authority being F1the council of a county, metropolitan district or London borough to exercise their powers under section 24 of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 (provision of caravan sites) so far as may be necessary to provide adequate accommodation for gipsies residing in or resorting to their area.

The council of a F2metropolitan district or London borough shall not in any case be required under subsection (1) of this section to provide accommodation for more than fifteen caravans at a time, F3F2the district or, as the case may be, in the London borough . . . F4

Any local authority may defray or contribute towards expenditure incurred or to be incurred under this Part of this Act by any other authority.

The powers of a local authority under the said section 24 shall include power to provide, in or in connection with sites for the accommodation of gipsies, working space and facilities for the carrying on of such activities as are normally carried on by them; but subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the powers conferred by this subsection.