MR. P. J. O' BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the order of the House to the police to keep the approaches to the House of Commons free of access for Members, and of the fact that the approach to the subway entrance to the House is at present blocked by the erection of a stand at the end of Westminster Bridge, adjacent to the statute of Boadicea, whether he will take steps to have this obstruction removed.
§ *MR. RITCHIEThe Sessional Order to the police does not appear to me to apply to a stand of this nature, which was lawfully erected and is not under the control of the police.
MR. P. J. O'BRIENWho is responsible for the erection of this stand? What is the use of the subway if it is to be thus blocked?
§ *MR. RITCHIEIt is the duty of the police to see that hon. Members have free access to the House. Of course that does not mean that they have control of the buildings erected under powers possessed by local authorities.
§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)But we have no access at present to Palace Yard except by the carriage way.
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!