§ 6. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why representatives of the Commonwealth Press have to be equipped with police identity cards before they can use the seats allocated to them on the Coronation route; what special additional facilities 543 are to be provided for them by reason of the possession of such permits; and what is the reason for this discrimination as against the holders of offically allocated seats.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfePolice identity cards, which are intended to help Press representatives in carrying out their functions on ceremonial occasions, are issued on request to all Press representatives, whether British or foreign. On the occasion of the Coronation, persons using the special Press positions on the processional route and those carrying bulky photographic apparatus may be called upon to produce these identity cards, and the police will afford holders of the cards all reasonable facilities to carry out their functions as Press representatives. Press representatives with seats on the stands to which the public are admitted will not need these identity cards.
§ Mr. NallyWould the Secretary of State not agree that every care has been taken so that, although there are some minor complaints in these circles, the programme has gone ahead to ensure that the Commonwealth Press is treated with the courtesy to which it is entitled and that there are no grounds at all for the suggestion that during the Coronation proceedings the Commonwealth Press will not receive every conceivable help from the Minister's Department and from the Press itself in fulfilling its duties of covering the Coronation?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThat is certainly my information. I am grateful to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. EdeMay we take it that the Commonwealth Press come under the denomination "British" which the right hon. and learned Gentleman used?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeCertainly.