Julian Lewis (Shadow Minister, Defence; New Forest East, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department

(1) what discussions he has had with (a) the House authorities and (b) the former Speaker, Lord Martin in the last 12 months on legislation to restrict the extended use of amplified noise in Parliament Square; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill will enable restrictions to be placed on (a) (i) the establishment and (ii) the continuation of existing permanent demonstrations in Parliament Square and (b) the use of amplified noise for long periods in the Square.

David Hanson (Minister of State (Crime and Policing), Home Office; Delyn, Labour)

holding answer 2 November 2009

My predecessor my hon. Friend Mr. Coaker met the former Speaker, the noble Lord Martin, in May to discuss a number of issues concerning Government proposals to repeal sections 132 to 138 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act. Ministers have discussed and will continue to discuss these proposals with the House authorities. I met the Serjeant at Arms in October.

The provisions in part 4 of the Constitutional Renewal and Governance Bill repeal sections 132 to 138 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 and provide the police with new powers to maintain access to Parliament.

The police will be able to place conditions on demonstrations only to the extent that they are necessary in order to prevent a march or assembly from blocking access to Parliament or, as currently under the Public Order Act, where they are necessary to prevent serious public disorder, serious disruption to the life of the community or serious damage to property.