HC Deb 01 May 1935 vol 301 cc360-2
24. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

asked the Minister of Transport what special arrangement are to be made by the London Passenger Transport Board for leave and payment of their staff in connection with the Jubilee, in order to conform with the arrangements which are being made in this connection by the four main-line railways companies?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I understand that the board have decided that, so far as practicable, their regular staff shall be given a day's leave with pay upon 6th May. Payment will be at the ordinary time or day rates, and in so far as staff cannot be liberated because of public requirements, they will be allowed to have another day in lieu thereof with pay, or, alternatively, paid in respect of 6th May for work done at ordinary time or day rates, and receive, in addition, a sum equivalent to another day's pay at ordinary time or day rates.

32. Mr. MARTIN

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any other coalfield has followed the example of South Wales by establishing a Jubilee fund for retirement pensions?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend has not heard of any such proposals in any coalfield other than South Wales.

43. Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the fact that the Commissioner of Police has prohibited vehicular traffic in Parliament Square between 9 p.m. and midnight during Jubilee week, he will state what arrangements will be made for the cars of Members to enter and leave New Palace Yard during that period?

Sir J. GILMOUR

As the House is aware, a number of public buildings in the neighbourhood of the Houses of Parliament are to be flood-lighted on each night of the week beginning 6th May, from about 9.15 p.m. to midnight, and it is anticipated that large crowds will assemble to see the illuminations. In order to enable free movement of the crowds without risk of accident, it has been necessary for the Commissioner of Police, in pursuance of his powers and duties under Section 52 of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1839, to impose considerable restrictions on the use of the streets in the area concerned by vehicular traffic. Full particulars of the police arrangements have been advertised in the Press, and I am arranging for maps showing the routes available for Members to be exhibited from to-day in suitable places in the House. The Commissioner is fully alive to the necessity of carrying out the directions in the Sessional Order as to obviating obstruction to the passage of Members to and from the House. The arrangements which have been made for the nights of the 7th, 8th and 9th May will ensure that access by car will be possible from Victoria via Victoria Street, Great Smith Street, Wood Street and Abingdon Street, or from Chelsea and Vauxhall via Millbank, And the police will do their best to see that access to and egress from New Palace Yard is not interrupted. Hon. Members will appreciate, however, that the streets mentioned are likely to be a good deal congested, and, although the police will do everything possible to assist Members, there may be a certain amount of delay. It will greatly facilitate the police in the performance of their difficult duties if as many Members as possible desiring to reach the House on the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next will proceed by foot or by the Underground Railways, and I feel certain that I can rely on the co-operation of hon. Members in this manner.