HC Deb 03 May 1955 vol 540 cc1510-1
49. Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to see that rehearsals for ceremonial parades in honour of The Queen's birthday this year do not cause congestion and dislocation of traffic during the London forenoon.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth)

Some closing of roads is unavoidable both during the ceremony and during the two main rehearsals. This year there will be a more extensive system of signposting of alternative routes than formerly and additional traffic police will be made available.

Mr. Iremonger

Will my hon. Friend give consideration to the idea that the rehearsals might well be held between first light and 9.30 a.m., and that, although the ceremonies give great satisfaction to the public, very considerable inconvenience is caused by having the rehearsals at times when traffic is necessarily at its peak?

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

I am not sure that it would be possible to have the rehearsals at that time. In any event, I am not certain that it would really ease the traffic difficulty.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is there any reason why all this business cannot be organised to take place on a Saturday afternoon?