§ MR. PIERPOINT (Warrington)I beg to ask Mr. Speaker whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that an apparently organised crowd was gathered in the Central Hall on Monday evening, and that so as to preserve order the police moved part of the crowd into Old Palace-yard, and whether there is any rule or order of the House which limits the number of strangers to be allowed within the precincts of the House when it is sitting.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe only regulation of the House I am aware of is that contained in one of the Sessional Orders, which directs the Commissioners of the Police and the Sergeant-at-Arms to see that there is no disorder and no annoyance within the precincts of the House. As to what took place on Monday, I knew nothing at the time of there being any great crowd, but I was afterwards informed that there had been a considerable crowd in the central lobby. I made some inquiry and learned from the Sergeant-at-Arms and from the inspector of police that although there was a considerable crowd, and some noise, the passages were kept open and that there was nothing in the circumstances which appeared to make it necessary to report to me that there was disorder or annoyance or to take any steps. The only step that was taken, I understand, was that when the inspector of police found that the number of people in the central lobby was becoming very large, the police at the western entrance to St. Stephen's Hall were instructed not to allow more to come in until there was room, and those who were there were directed to retire, and they did retire.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Do we understand that hon. Members on the other side are afraid of meeting their constituents?
§ [No Answer was returned.]