§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider lifting the ban against the entry into Chatham of people who live in the vicinity and wish to visit entertainments; and whether if is an offence for a person who has entered the town on legitimate business subsequently to enter a theatre or cinema?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIt is a breach of the Regional Commissioner's Direction for a person to enter those areas in which the visitors ban is in force for the purpose of visiting entertainments. It was not, however, intended that the recent relaxation of the visitors ban in part of the Kent 543W area for the winter period should operate in such a way as to create hardship for persons living in the vicinity of Chatham, and I understand that instructions are being given to the police to permit these persons to visit Chatham freely. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.