§ LORD ERNEST BRUCEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will use his influence with the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs to induce them to confine the Lord Mayor's Show entirely to Cannon Street, Queen Victoria Street, and the Thames Embankment; the return journey through the narrow streets, as last year, being generally in the dark, and of no amusement to any one except the pickpockets of London?
§ MR. WINTERBOTHAM (for Mr. BRUCE)said, the Question was put upon the Paper last night, and there had not been time to communicate with the Lord Mayor upon the subject. Under the circumstances, he should not like to give a positive answer to pledge the Home Secretary; indeed, he did not know that it was in the power of the Government to interfere in the matter; and, even if it were, he should be sorry to take any steps which would curtail the very limited enjoyment of those who remained in London during the month of November. He ventured further to remind the noble Lord that there were other persons than pickpockets to whom the "show" afforded amusement.