18. Mr. AMMONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that for many years past open-air meetings of a local character have been held without interference in Flat Iron Square, Mill-bank, in the City of Westminster; and whether, seeing that these meetings are not demonstrations and are of an ordinary character, they can be allowed to continue without interference on the part of the police?
Mr. SHORTTIt is not the practice of the police to interfere with orderly meetings in Regent's Place (or Flat Iron Square), except at times when Parliament is actually sitting; but at those times, by virtue of the Sessional Order of this House requiring the approaches to be kept free, they have no alternative but to see that no meeting of any kind is held there.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that meetings have been held in Flat Iron Square for the past 25 years without any interference at all?
§ Mr. THORNEI spoke there myself 20 years ago.