§ MR. JAMES STUART (Shoreditch, Heaton)I beg to ask the secretary of State for the Home Department whether 1011 it is the case, as reported, that the City Police protected to the boundary of their jurisdiction the Salvation Army procession which was prevented by the Metropolitan Police from passing along the Strand; and, whether he has any information as to the action of the police in the City towards the Salvation Army procession being different from that of the Metropolitan Police in the Strand?
§ MR. COSSHAMMay I ask whether the law relating to these processions applies to military processions and to the Lord Mayor's show?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am informed by the Commissioner of the City Police that the procession started from Broad Street Railway Station with the intention of passing down Broad Street to its destination. This was not permitted, owing to the probability of obstruction in that thoroughfare, and a circuitous route by Eldon Street and Moorgate Street was accordingly taken. About half-a-dozen men of the City Police accompanied the procession, not for the purpose of protecting it, but in order to prevent as far as possible any serious obstruction to the traffic, and for the convenience of the public generally.
§ MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)Has any procession other than that of the Salvation Army been allowed to proceed along the Strand, and in the future will all processions be forbidden the use of that thoroughfare?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI must ask for notice of this question, and also of that put by the hon. Member for Bristol (Mr. Cossham).
§ MR. JAMES STUARTDid the Salvation Army express any wish or intention to go down Broad Street?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have given the substance of the statement that has been made to me; but if it is wished I will make further inquiry.
§ MR. JAMES STUARTI should be glad if the right hon. Gentleman would make further inquiry.