§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in reference to the recent disturbances in Hyde Park, caused by the exhibition of certain Catholic emblems, whether proceedings cannot be taken at law to prevent an offensive exhibition, calculated to provoke a considerable class of Her Majesty's subjects to a breach of the peace?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYProcedings can only be taken for violations of the Regulations contained in the Parks Regulation Act, 1872, and the rules made thereunder. The police considered that, in the case of the meeting last Sunday, there was no such violation; but if any persons consider that the meeting was an indecent or disorderly or unlawful meeting within the meaning of the Rules, or that they were wilfully annoyed within the meaning of the Regulations, by the use made of the parks, it is open to them to apply for a summons, and the police will afford them every proper assistance. Nothing further can be done without an alteration of the Regulations which govern the use of the park, and which are made by the Commissioners of Works and Public Buildings.
§ MR. W. REDMONDIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very general feeling that an alteration of the Regulations is required?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYThat is a question which I am perfectly ready to consider.