HC Deb 26 February 1953 vol 511 cc2288-9
30. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendation was made about holding the Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday by the working party which considered the traffic problems created by holding this function on other week-days.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

The working party reported that, in their view, there were substantial arguments against the suggestion that the Lord Mayor's Show should be held on a Saturday, and recommended certain methods of reducing traffic difficulties without interfering with the practice under which the show is held on the day appointed for the presentation of the Lord Mayor to the judges of the Queen's Bench Division. The recommendations were acted upon last year, and I understand that the arrangements made were found to be satisfactory.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the Home Secretary aware that last year, in order to reduce traffic hold-ups, the Lord Mayor's Show took a truncated route and was, therefore, seen by fewer people than ever before? Why cannot this procession, which is mainly of interest to schoolchildren, take place on Saturdays over the traditional or an extended route, with less harm to traffic or school attendance figures? Why begrudge schoolchildren the opportunity of seeing these things?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I would ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to look at the arguments put forward by the working party, which were substantial.