Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 April 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 May 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Demonstrations: Parliament Square

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps she (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to ensure that Parliament Square is kept free of demonstrators on parliamentary sitting days; what recent representations she has received on this issue; and if she will make a statement;

Answer: The Government are committed to protecting and facilitating the right to peaceful protest. Police tactics and decisions on policing protests are matters for the independent judgment of chief officers of police. We have made it clear that there should be no unnecessary restrictions on the right to protest in the vicinity of Parliament. Following our consultation exercise last year on Managing Protest around Parliament, we announced our intention to repeal the relevant provisions in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. We intend to do that as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Secondary information