HC Deb 21 November 1957 vol 578 cc542-3
13. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many streets were closed, and for how long, when Parliament was opened on 5th November last.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 36 streets and parts of a further six streets were closed to general traffic for periods varying from two-and-a-half to nearly three hours.

Mr. Lipton

Has the Home Secretary noted that this year's State opening of Parliament caused more widespread dislocation of traffic than ever before? Is it necessary to close so many streets for so long to provide for so short a procession over such a short distance, when the procession takes only a few minutes to pass any given point? Is it not time for fresh thinking about the problem?

Mr. Butler

The trouble in this case is that the fresh thinking would have to be done by the weather. The restrictions were imposed at 9.30 a.m. when we expected the traffic peak would normally have passed, but in fact it was badly delayed by the weather, which partially accounts for the difficulties which arose.