HC Deb 12 May 1915 vol 71 cc1640-1
63. Sir CHARLES HENRY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the South Western Railway and the Great Western Railway to run special trains in connection with the proposed Ascot race meeting; and, if so, whether he will make representations to those railway companies of the undesirability of making increased demands upon their staffs, and also of the necessity not to permit any special trains run in connection with race meetings to interfere with the ordinary services, with military exigencies, or with the carriage of goods and commodities?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I cannot say definitely if any special trains will be run for the Ascot races. The position of the railway companies with regard to the running of special trains was explained in the full reply given by me yesterday to questions by the Noble Lord the Member for the Hitchin Division and my hon. Friend the Member for East Northamptonshire.

Sir C. HENRY

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes, I have been making inquiries, but I cannot give any definite information to the House yet.

80. Sir CHARLES HENRY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation so as to enable him to have the authority during the continuance of the War of prohibiting race meetings, with special regard to those meetings where the police in the immediate district where the meeting may be proposed to be held is deemed insufficient, as in the case of the Ascot meeting next month, for which a demand is being made on the Special Constabulary of Berkshire, and men who have volunteered as special constables are thereby withdrawn from their usual occupation?

The SECRETARY Of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)

I fear that legislation prohibiting race meetings is too contentious to be proposed at the present time. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] If I may judge from that expression of opinion which the House now gives, that answer might reasonably be altered. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I understand, however, that the Special Constabulary of Berkshire will not be called upon to police the Ascot Racecourse next month.

Sir C. HENRY

May I tell my right hon. Friend that already demands have been made for their attendance at the Ascot race meeting?

Mr. McKENNA

I am unable to say what demands have been made upon them, but I can assure my hon. Friend that they will not be called on to police the Ascot race course.