HL Deb 23 October 1967 vol 285 cc1344-5
LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what grounds open-air meetings and processions within one mile of the Palace of Westminster have been prohibited during the sittings of Parliament on Friday evenings after Parliament has adjourned and whether this regulation has been reconsidered.]

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, the Sessional Orders of your Lordships' House and of another place require the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to facilitate the passage of Members to and from both Houses during the sitting of Parliament, and for this purpose the Commissioner directs, under Section 52 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839, that assemblies or processions of persons shall not take place in the vicinity. As neither House sits in normal circumstances on Friday evenings, the Commissioner has decided, following consultation between the Home Office and the authorities in both Houses, that assemblies and processions will be permitted after 6 p.m. on any Friday on which neither House of Parliament is sitting late.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, is my noble friend aware of the appreciation that is felt, not only of the Home Secretary but also of the Commissioner at Scotland Yard and of the Committees of both Houses of Parliament, in reaching this decision?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I am most grateful for my noble friend's observation and I will certainly see that what he has said is conveyed to my right honourable friend and to the Commissioner.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, is the Minister quite sure that this relaxation is not going to encourage the sort of horrible hooliganism we saw yesterday in Grosvenor Square and that it will not encourage young people in continuance of this disgraceful conduct?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I would mention to the noble Lord that exceptionally on March 3 of this year the Commissioner gave permission for a procession at 10 o'clock at night, and again in May this year—that was during the Whitsun Recess—he permitted the lining of the streets between U Thant's hotel and Central Hall, Westminster. No untoward incident occurred. While no-one can forecast what may happen when there is a procession, certainly the police have always shown themselves able to cope, and I know that they will continue to do so.