HC Deb 22 June 1967 vol 748 cc1935-7
22. Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of instructions issued by Scotland Yard to Metropolitan Police stations regarding carnival processions; and whether, in view of the anxieties of the Carnival Associations Guild and others, he will make a statement to clarify the present position.

38. Dr. David Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Carnival Associations Guild concerning the routes available to the member Asso- ciations of the Guild; and what reply he has given.

Mr. Taverne

The Commissioner of Police informs me that, because carnival processions on main roads can cause widespread dislocation of traffic, organisers may be advised to modify their routes in agreement with the police. My right hon. Friend has received letters from three hon. Members, but no representations directly from the Carnival Associations Guild.

Mr. Hunt

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that many will regard these instructions as harsh and unreasonable? Will he bear in mind that any re-routing of the kind mentioned must adversely affect the collections which these carnival processions are able to make for charities? Will he, therefore, make it clear to Scotland Yard that any slight dislocation of traffic once a year is a very small price to pay for the preservation of one of the last vestiges of community life in Greater London?

Mr. Taverne

I am sure that the Commissioner of Police is aware that a slight dislocation of traffic is something that one could tolerate in a good cause; but I think the hon. Member must be aware that quite often it is not just a slight dislocation of traffic, but a major congestion.

Dr. Kerr

Will my hon. and learned Friend note that the carnivals have always co-operated fully with the police? Will he, moreover, note that the contribution of these carnivals to community life includes, for instance, the improvement of race relations by incorporating all sections of the community in the carnivals? Would he please give every possible assistance to ensure that they can continue to do things which are in no way different from the weekly football match at Highbury Stadium?

Mr. Taverne

I realise that many of the causes promoted by these carnivals are causes which everyone would wish to support. However, it is not necessarily as simple as saying that it is like the usual disturbance at Highbury Stadium. On some occasions some of these carnivals clash with other engagements, like football matches, which also cause dislocation. One could not have the Home Office interfering with the discretion of the police as to whether a particular route should be followed in a particular case.