§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate whether any elected representative other than hon. Members made representations to him or to the Chief Constable that the demonstrations and processions which took place in the months of June and July to date in (a) Limavady, (b) Maghera, (c) Cookstown, (d) Castlewellan and (e) Portadown, should be (i) re-routed and (ii) banned.
Mr. KingI understand my predecessor received several such representations from councillors and 57W members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. They all concerned processions in Portadown. I cannot, of course, speak for the Chief Constable.
As the hon. Member will know, the police are responsible for re-routing processions while power to prohibit a demonstration or procession rests with the Secretary of State.