§ MR. McKENNA (Monmouthshire, N.)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Urban District Council of Herne Bay has refused to allow religious services to be held on the foreshore at Herne Bay on Sundays; and whether he will cause a statement to be prepared and placed upon the Table showing the powers under the general law by which urban district councils may prohibit religious services from being held upon the foreshore within their area.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) I have no information as to the case referred to, but I will make inquiry on the subject. Urban district councils are empowered by Section 164 of The Public Health Act, 1875, to make by-laws for the regulation of public walks and pleasure grounds and in this way can make rules as to the use of these places for the purpose referred to in the Question. In some cases the circumstances are such that by-laws may be made under this section regulating the use of the foreshore. Subject to this there is no enactment in the general law enabling an urban district council to prohibit religious services from being held upon the foreshore within their area.