§ 62. Mr. NEWMANasked the Home Secretary what portion of the footway may be occupied by theatre queues, and also by crowds inspecting an attractive window display, without being considered by the police to cause an obstruction?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)It is impossible to lay down a formula applicable to all cases. When it appears probable that the police will be compelled to intervene, those responsible are invariably warned before action is taken.
§ 63. Mr. NEWMANasked why police assistance is refused for the regulation of queues waiting to inspect attractive window displays, while it is granted for the regulation of queues waiting to enter theatres?
§ Mr. McKENNAI pointed out in reply to a previous question of the hon. Member that theatre queues have a kind of 2081 prescriptive status. The Commissioner of Police informs me that the police have no experience of queues waiting to inspect shop windows.
§ Mr. NEWMANIs it not a fact that a great many theatres are giving up the practice of queues altogether? Could not the right hon. Gentleman encourage that practice?
§ Mr. McKENNAI should like notice of that question; I am not aware of the circumstances.