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Dept for Culture Media and Sport;Royal Parks Agency

Answer

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received concerning the impact of pop concerts on activities at Speakers' Corner. [6061] Tessa Jowell: Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its chief executive, William Weston. Mr. Weston wrote to the hon. Member in July. Letter from William Weston to Mr. Peter Ainsworth, dated July 2001: I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to reply to your Parliamentary Question about what representations have been received concerning the impact of pop concerts on activities at Speakers' Corner. I regret that it was not possible to answer your question before the Summer recess. However, the information you requested is as follows. I received an e.mail on 19 July from Heiko Khoo of the Speakers' Corner Association who believes that the right to free speech at Speakers' Corner, enshrined in the 1872 Parks and Gardens Act, is encroached by the arrangements made to facilitate large concerts on the adjacent Parade Ground. Mr Khoo questioned the Agency's right to make any restrictions on access to the area, and asked why such concerts could not be held in one of the other Royal Parks instead.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

6061; 372 c1143W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Freedom of expression Royal parks Music festivals Hyde Park Public speaking

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk