§ Mr. Hattonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement indicating why his decision to allow the International Hare Krishna Society to hold a religious festival in Trafalgar Square has been made conditional.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisPermission to hold a meeting in Trafalgar Square is always conditional on compliance with the Trafalgar Square regulations and whatever additional safeguards the Department and the police require.
During its festival last year the international Society for Krishna Consciousness did not keep to the conditions it had agreed. This in my view raised questions of public safety. Consequently this year, as an alternative to refusing permission for the meeting, I have attached some extra conditions, designed to protect the safety of the public, the fabric of the square and the taxpayer's purse. The society has agreed to accept these conditions.