§ COLONEL SANDYS (Lancashire, Bootle)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government is aware that, on the 598 afternoon of 23rd June last, a Roman Catholic procession carrying a crucifix and images, with priests in robes exercising the rites and ceremonies of their religion and wearing the habits of their order, passed through the streets of Westminster protected by police, the public traffic being stopped to admit of the procession passing, much disapprobation being openly expressed at the time by those present; and, seeing that the ecclesiastics in this procession were acting in contravention of the statute, 10 Geo. 4, c. 7, s. 26, whether the Chief Commissioner of Police, who is responsible for permitting and protecting processions in the streets of London, will in future be directed to refuse permission and the protection of the police for processions of the kind mentioned.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, W.)Is there any truth in the suggestion that these people required protection?
*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)I am informed that the Commissioner of Police gave no permission for the passage of the procession in question through the streets, and that the police simply performed their ordinary duty, their action being limited to the regulation of the traffic and preservation of order.
§ MR. FLAVINWhy does not the hon. and gallant Member who put the question come down here with a proposal that the law be enforced?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member has no right to ask such a question of a private Member.