§ 68. Sir C. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department who were the occupants of the motor cars, escorted by police outriders, which crossed against the red traffic signals from Hyde Park through Stanhope Gate and across Park Lane, thereby causing danger to other motorists, at 4.55 p.m. on the afternoon of Saturday 18th July; whether these arrangements were authorised by him; and to whom, and why, such privileges are accorded.
§ Mr. BrookeMy hon. Friend's Question appears to refer to a journey by His Highness the Ruler of Bahrain, who was in this country as a guest of Her Majesty's Government, and his entourage. A police escort is usual in the circumstances in which it was made, and does 131W not require my authority. Members of the escort do not recall the incident, but it is possible that the final vehicle of the convoy, which had to be kept together, had not cleared the junction before the lights changed.