§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Home Secretary on what grounds shopkeepers are summoned for assembling crowds by attractive window displays, while no action is taken against theatre managers for the queues which are formed, especially in the Strand, causing loss of time and inconvenience to pedestrians?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHWhen window dressing of an exceptional character causes crowds to assemble which actually obstruct the footway, the shopkeepers responsible can be proceeded against under Section 72 of the Highways Act, 1835. The police, however, rarely prosecute, and never until the usual notice has been given. Theatre queues have a kind of prescriptive status, but in the event of their being so badly regulated as to obstruct the free passage of pedestrians, the police will feel compelled to deal with them. I may say that it would be of assistance to the police if theatre managers would open their doors earlier.