HC Deb 19 March 1985 vol 75 c460W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the orders given to his officers regarding enforcement of the Sessional Order of the House to the Metropolitan police regarding access to the Palace of Westminster by hon. Members; and if he will make a statement on the substance of the report.

Mr. Giles Shaw

In furtherance of the Sessional Orders the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis gives the following directions to his officers under section 52 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839(1) That they shall disperse all assemblies or processions of persons causing or likely to cause obstruction or disorder on any day on which Parliament is sitting within the area specified hereunder: East side of the River Thames between Waterloo and Vauxhall Bridges, Vauxhall Bridge Road, Victoria Street (between Vauxhall Bridge Road and Buckingham Palace Road, Grosvenor Gardens, Grosvenor Place, Piccadilly, Coventry Street, New Coventry Street, Leicester Square (north side), Cranbourn Street, Long Acre, Bow Street, Wellington Street, crossing Strand and Victoria Embankment to Waterloo Bridge. Provided that processions may be routed along the thoroughfares named except Victoria Embankment 'west of Waterloo Bridge. (2) That they shall prevent or remove any other cause of obstruction within the said area so that every facility shall be afforded for the free passage of Peers and Members to and from the Houses of Parliament on any day on which Parliament is sitting.

If my hon. Friend has a particular problem in mind I invite him to write to me.