§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the use of Abingdon Street Gardens, Westminster for an anti-abortion gathering on 27th and 28th June, occupying the lawn for exhibiting anti-abortion propaganda, was authorised under the appropriate by-laws; and if so, to whom, for what purpose, and under what conditions; and
Whether it is the case that the use of the Abingdon Street Gardens, Westminster for purposes denied to the public under the by-laws is on the increase; and whether stricter control will be imposed in future.
The Earl of CaithnessNo request for permission to use Abingdon Street Gardens for any assembly or display on 27th or 28th June was sought or given by the Department of the Environment. It is not possible to say whether the use of the gardens for these or similar purposes is on the increase because the department has no record of any recent requests for use under the Royal and Other Parks and Garden Regulations.