§ Mr. ASHLEYasked by whose orders and under what legal sanction wooden barriers were erected across streets adjoining the route of the recent Royal processions in London?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLFor many years past, on extraordinary occasions, wooden barriers have been erected across streets 7 in the interest of public safety. On the present occasion, the scheme for their erection had the authority of an Order of the Committee of the Privy Council.
§ Mr. ASHLEYDoes an Order of the Committee of the Privy Council empower a Government Department to break the law, if this action is breaking the law?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have stated the facts as they are placed before me. This has been the practice on other occasions. If the authority is challenged, the proper way to do it is by ordinary process in the regular way.
§ Mr. ASHLEYasked whether the cost of the wooden barriers recently erected across streets in London will be defrayed out of the Coronation fund or will have to be paid for by the local authorities?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe cost of the barriers erected by the Metropolitan police will form part of the expenditure in connection with the Coronation to be met from the Metropolitan Police Fund; but that fund received from voted moneys for national and Imperial services rendered by the Metropolitan police an annual subvention of £100,000, an amount which, taking one year with another, is sufficient to cover exceptional expenditure of this character. The cost of the barriers erected by the City police will be met from City funds.