HC Deb 06 February 1958 vol 581 cc1332-3
1. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further discussions he has had about holding the Lord Mayor of London's procession on Saturdays in future.

13. Mr. Collins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Lord Mayor's Show held on Saturday 9th November was extremely successful and witnessed by exceptionally large crowds with a minimum inconvenience to business; and if he will now discuss with the Court of Common Council the possibility of holding all future Lord Mayor's processions on Saturdays.

Mr. Renton

I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) on 21st November. I understand that the City authorities, who keep the matter under regular review, have decided that there are not at the present time sufficient grounds for departing from the traditional date.

Mr. Lipton

In the light of past experience, would it not be both simple and sensible to cut the big traffic jam involved in this ceremony by having this function also on a Saturday? What is the difficulty that stands in the way of departing from what has become a tradition of dislocation and general inconvenience?

Mr. Renton

I do not accept what the hon. Member says. I would remind him that the date is fixed in the light of the Lord Mayor's statutory duty to attend the Law Courts to take the oath on 9th November, and legislation would be needed to alter that date.

Mr. Collins

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that my constituency, containing two boroughs immediately adjacent to the City, suffers a maximum inconvenience? Is he aware that some time ago I led a civic and commercial deputation to the City Remembrancer and, after discussion, we reached the understanding that the only obstacle to such a change was inertia? Could the hon. and learned Gentleman give a push in the right direction to continue this important and highly-prized show without inconveniencing my constituents and people all over London?

Mr. Renton

There is undoubtedly, of course, some inconvenience, but the City authorities and others concerned have, for the most part, up to this time considered that the inconvenience was well worth the occasion.