§ 21. Mr. THURTLEasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will explain the circumstances in which, contrary to precedent, a Fascist procession was permitted to march along Constitution Hill past Buckingham Palace and along Birdcage Walk on the evening of Sunday, 22nd March?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI understand that the Commissioner Police, in the interests of law and order, directed the procession to take this route.
§ Mr. THURTLEShould not the police have first obtained permission from the Office of Works for the procession to proceed in this way; and, if so, has the right hon. Gentleman made no protest to the Commissioner of Police against their having done this without his permission?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI understand that this happened late on Sunday night. Efforts were made to get into touch with me, but, unfortunately, I was dining out. I take full responsibility for what the Commissioner did in the circumstances of the case.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it is undesirable that this particular route should be used for processions as a general rule?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREYes, Sir, I am quite sure that that is the general view of the police. It so happened that the police who were conducting the procession found a crowd of the opposition in Grosvenor Place, and at the last minute they diverted it to this route, which would not normally be used.
§ Mr. McGOVERNA means of escape.
§ Mr. GALLACHERAre we to take it from the answer that if it were a Communist procession they would have taken it along that route?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI hope that in future it will be possible to avoid processions of any political character being taken past the Palace.
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSDoes not the First Commissioner of Works think that Rotten Row would have been the best route?