§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to revise the decision announced in 1972 to refuse to grant permission for any demonstration on the issue of Northern Ireland in Trafalgar square. [12815]
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMy ministerial colleagues and I have reviewed the 1972 ban and decided that in future any application to use Trafalgar square for demonstrations on the issue of Northern Ireland will be treated in the same way as applications in respect of other demonstrations. My Department will continue to apply the rules which restrict all demonstrations on Trafalgar square to weekends, and will continue to consult the local police, Westminster city councils and others, and to consider each application on its merits.