MR. BERKELEYsaid, he rose to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Dement, Whether he is aware that all the London Theatres under the jurisdiction of the Lord Chamberlain were closed on last Saturday evening out of respect to the memory of Her Royal Highness the late Duchess of Kent; whether he is, likewise, aware that all the Music Halls, Salons, Casinos, and the Alhambra in Leicester Square were open upon that day; and whether any attempt will be made by the Executive to prevent the opening of such places on the evening of the funeral of Her Royal Highness; and, if legal means are not existing to accomplish this, whether it is his intention to bring in a Bill for the better ordering of such places of amusement
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, that instructions were given by the Lord Chamberlain for closing the theatres on Saturday last, and he had no reason to doubt that those instructions were all duly complied with. As to that class of entertainments 160 afterwards referred to in the question of his hon. Friend, he could only say that neither the Lord Chamberlain nor the police had any control over them for the purpose of closing them upon such occasions, and, therefore, no steps were taken to close them on Saturday last; and for the same reasons no steps would be taken for closing them on Monday next. With respect to the final question of the hon. Member, he observed that near the end of last Session he introduced a Bill, giving to the Lord Chamberlain certain powers with respect to places where theatrical entertainments were performed, but which did not come within the definition of theatres. That Bill was not proceeded with on account of the late period of the Session, and of objections made to some parts of it, but it would be his wish to ask for leave to re-introduce it after the holidays.