§ Mr. Bodyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of the City of London Police about why he invoked Section 9 of the Metropolitan Streets Act 1867 to prohibit the advertising of an all-party political meeting to be held in the City and addressed by a Privy Councillor, namely Mr. Enoch Powell, and two hon. Members of this House, one Labour and the other Conservative.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI understand from the Commissioner of Police for the City 535W of London that it has been his general practice since 1971 to refuse permission for the distribution in the streets of advertising leaflets so as to avoid litter and possible complaints of annoyance and obstruction. There was no prohibition on the advertising of the meeting by other means.
The Commissioner also informs me that he has decided that he will in future normally be prepared to grant permission for the distribution of advertising leaflets for non-commercial purposes.