HC Deb 15 February 1933 vol 274 cc1008-10
76. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now inform the House of the decision of the Government as to strengthening the existing Jaw as regards the holding of processions which are likely to obstruct traffic and interfere with the freedom of the general public in the use of the streets?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Oliver Stanley)

Yes, Sir. The Government have fully examined the question whether it is necessary, in the public interest, to strengthen the law relating to processions. Provision is already made, under the existing law, to enable local authorities to regulate the routes of processions and to make orders for preventing obstruction of the streets and thoroughfares; and the Government as at present advised are of the opinion that traffic difficulties, where they are likely to arise from this cause, may better be met by the appropriate application of existing statutory powers than by legislation designed to strengthen the existing law. The Government are anxious to maintain, to the utmost extent compatible with the general interest, the right of holding public processions, provided they are orderly and well-behaved. They cannot, however, lose sight of the ever increasing difficulty of coping with the problem of street traffic under modern conditions, and if, in the light of experience, it became manifest that further measures were needed for the control of processions, the Government would not hesitate to ask for further powers.

Sir W. DAVISON

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is a provision now under which, if there are to be two processions on the same day, one of them can be prohibited in order to avoid clashing? There have been instances recently of two processions being likely to clash.

Mr. STANLEY

I understand that various Acts give local authorities power to make orders which prescribe the routes, and it is within their competence to make such orders as would prevent a clash.

Captain P. MACDONALD

Are cooperative societies permitted to send all their mechanical vehicles to take part in processions, thus adding to the traffic blocks?

Mr. LAWSON

Have the Government been really disturbed by the last procession in London?

Mr. STANLEY

I imagine they did not see it.