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Written question asked by Lord Farmer (Conservative) on Thursday, 13 February 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 February 2025. It was answered by Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 February 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Parliament Square

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the map on page 11 of the guidance issued by the Home Office in March 2023 on provisions of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 relating to Parliament Square and the areas surrounding the Palace of Westminster, why the section of the A302 forming the north side of Parliament Square was not included in the controlled area.

Answer

Through section 76 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (PCSC Act 2022), the previous Government amended section 142A of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 to expand the “controlled area” of the Palace of Westminster to include the vehicular access points to the Parliamentary Estate. The amendment also added obstructing the passage of a vehicle into or out of the Parliamentary Estate to the list of prohibited activities.

The aim of the amendments was to prevent the impediment of Parliamentarians’ vehicular access to the Parliamentary Estate via vehicular entrances. The scope of the amendment was determined in consultation with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and other key partners. The PCSC Act 2022 will be subject to post-legislative scrutiny between April 2025 and April 2027. We will carefully consider the findings of that review and should gaps in the legislation be identified, we will seek to address them.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL5011
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Parliament Square Protest
Legislation
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk