§ 35. Mr. Dalyellasked the Lord President of the Council what plans he has to change arrangements for the reception of mass lobbies, as a result of the miners' lobby on 15th February.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. William Whitelaw)The Services Committee recommended in its recent report a number of improvements in the arrangements made for mass lobbies. Some of the changes proposed concern both Houses of Parliament. Consultations about the report are at present taking place and these will take into account the further experience gained on 15th February.
§ Mr. DalyellWhen are we likely to have the agreement of the other place both on the question of barriers and on the question of the pavement along Old Palace Yard?
§ Mr. WhitelawThe hon. Member will appreciate that I answered an Adjournment debate on this subject last night. I did not cover these two points. I would hope that agreement will be reached very soon. Consultations are taking place. I do not anticipate any difficulties, but obviously we will have to see how we get on.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhile I understand and also observed the difficulties of that day, was it not perhaps, on reflection, unfortunate for the Leader of the House to describe the miners' lobby as a demonstration? Should it not be made clear that demonstrations at the Palace of Westminster are not lawful?
§ Mr. WhitelawI thought I referred to it throughout as a mass lobby. If I did not, the mistake is obviously mine. Nevertheless I reiterate what I have said all along that the miners' mass lobby was of a very good-humoured nature and thanks to the efforts of a great many people a very large number came into the Palace to see their Members of Parliament. This was right and I am sure it worked satisfactorily. We have lessons to learn from it, particularly about good communications both from St. Stephen's entrance up to the Committee rooms and 406 outside. These lessons we should learn, but I would not like anything to go out from the House other than it was a very good-humoured, extremely well-stewarded mass lobby.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisI am sure the whole House will endorse the remarks of the Leader of the House. Is he aware, however, that before June, 1970, there was a body called the Housewives League which used to protest about rising food prices? Since food prices have been increasing at an annual rate of 10 per cent. that body has ceased to exist. When it was in existence, every help and assistance was given to it to lobby at the House. Can the right hon. Gentleman give the same assistance to any lobby that may take place provided it is as well conducted as that of the miners?
§ Mr. WhitelawThe Question which has been put to me concerns mass lobbies that have arrived here. That is quite enough for me without having to deal with those which have not yet decided to come.
§ The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:
§ 39. Mr. ARTHUR LEWISTo ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will make a statement on Government policy towards the recent report of the Services Committee on mass lobbying in relation to the rights of Members to interview their constituents.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Arthur Lewis.