§ 16. Earl WINTERTONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Members trying to reach this House by way of Victoria Street on Tuesday evening between eight and nine o'clock were informed that they could not 1953 do so by the police, who stated that they had orders neither to let Members through nor direct them to go by an alternative route; and whether, in view of the fact that on the occasion of the suffragette disturbances before the war, when all ordinary vehicular traffic was stopped within half-a-mile of this House, Members proceeding to the House were allowed through the police cordon on satisfying the inspector in charge as to their identity, he will make similar arrangements when disturbances like those of Tuesday occur in future?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIt is the recognised duty of the police to do what they can to assist Members to reach the House and no orders such as are mentioned in the first part of the question were given. But it will be appreciated that in circumstances such as prevailed on Tuesday night, when large numbers of persons were present in the vicinity, it is at times a matter of great difficulty to secure that access shall be uninterrupted. In such circumstances some diversion of traffic is unavoidable, and an individual police officer might not be able to direct a Member to a route which would be free of obstruction. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that access was kept clear the whole evening through Storey's Gate and many cars with Members passed that way to and from the House.
§ Earl W1NTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I am only asking for a reversion to the system which was in force before the war when disturbances occurred in which the police were subjected to just as much harassing and showed just as much patience, toleration and good humour as on Tuesday last; and will he bear in mind the ancient privilege of Members of this House to come to this House unimpeded by the civilian forces of the Crown?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have no reason to suppose that the police did not exercise every precaution and discretion.
§ Mr. PIKEIn view of the possibility of further disturbances will the Minister give special permission to the noble Lord to step over the heads of the police?
§ Mr. GLOSSOPMay I ask whether, in view of the fact that this House meets 1954 at 2.45 each afternoon, the police were not entirely justified in challenging Members of this House who were wandering about the streets in the evening in question?