METROPOLITAN POLICE (Hansard, 21 April 1966)

§ Mr. Marcus Lipton (Brixton)
): Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a submission on the Sessional Order relating to the Metropolitan Police, which you have just read out.
I think that the time has come to review the arrangements which are required to be made by the Commissioner of Police, in these days when traffic lights are installed at the intersection of Whitehall, Bridge Street and Parliament Square. In view of the manpower shortage, it is surely a misuse of manpower to have so many police officers engaged in traffic control, even while the House is in session.
No fewer than six police officers are required to control the traffic at this intersection when the traffic lights are not operating and, in view of the heavy pressure of traffic, it is quite impossible for the police officer to hold up traffic every minute or so, which they may be required to do to allow a Member of Parliament to cross over.
In these circumstances, I suggest that the authorities concerned be asked to consider whether or not the approaches to the House cannot best be left to traffic lights and not require such a large use—or, as some people think, misuse—of manpower in these days of manpower shortage. I hope that notice will be taken of this by the appropriate authorities so that, between now and the next time that this Sessional Order requires to be considered, some new, better and more modern arrangements can be made.

§ Mr. E. M. Braddock (Liverpool, Exchange)
I should like to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton). Some years ago, I made reference to the difficulties of Members crossing from one side of the road to the other 42 to reach the House, particularly if they were in a hurry. I asked that consideration be given to the provision of an underground passage through into the House of Commons from the opposite side of the road. I ask about this because, even now, it is more necessary than ever, because of the traffic. I predict that, unless something is done, if a police officer crosses into the road when the traffic is moving in order to stop it, he will be killed or injured, or, perhaps, an hon. Member will be.
I hope that this matter will be looked at by the responsible Department to see whether it is possible to have an underground passage from one side of the road into the House of Commons or into somewhere near where hon. Members will have no need to cross the road while the traffic is moving and so that inspectors of police and policemen will not be put in a dangerous situation.

§ Mr. Speaker
I am sure that the appropriate authorities and the House itself have listened with interest to what has been said. This is a matter which hon. Members may wish to raise at appropriate times during the course of this Session of Parliament. It could be raised on the Adjournment; it could even be raised in the debate which will follow in a moment.
Question put and agreed to.
Ordered,
That the Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis do take care that during the Session of Parliament the passages through the streets leading to this House be kept free and open, and that no obstruction be permitted to hinder the passage of Members to and from this House, and that no disorder be allowed in Westminster Hall, or in the passages leading to this House, during the Sitting of Parliament, and that there be no annoyance therein or thereabouts; and that the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do communicate this Order to the Commissioner aforesaid.