File. Sessional Orders (prohibiting open-air meetings in the vicinity of Parliament when it is sitting) and relaxation of orders

Reference No:
U DCL/8/9
Dates:
1939
Description:

Under a Sessional Order, open-air election meetings were usually prohibited within a mile of the Houses of Commons whilst the House is sitting. During a current by-election, the Police Commissioner agreed to relax this to allow election meetings as long as there was no obstruction or blocked route to Parliament. What Kidd and Acland are seeking is to know how long these relaxed regulations stand and if they are applicable for future parliamentary or municipal elections and to get confirmation from the Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, of this.

Including:

a) Letter to Secretary of Westminster Labour Party from Kidd explaining they can continue to hold open-air election meetings. Kidd and Sir Robert Acland visited the Chief Constable of Scotland Yard who agreed to relax this Sessional Order. Kidd includes a forwarded letter from Sir Hoare which should be sufficient evidence from within government. (11/08/1939)

b) Letters (3) to Acland from Kidd (11/08/1939, 04/07/1939, 14/06/1939). Kidd requests Acland to put the question to the Home Secretary regarding the Sessional Order on meetings within a mile of Parliament and whether the order only applied to the recent by-election in the Abbey Division of Westminster or if it applies for future Parliamentary or municipal elections (4 printed copies and 1 hand-written copy on the back of 'Notes on the Playwright: Eleanor Kalkowska').

c) Forwarded copy of Sir Hoare's letter (02/08/1939) from the House of Commons which reassures meetings should be allowed to take place.

d) Letters (3) to Kidd from Acland (05/08/1939, 27/06/1939, 16/05/1939). Acland believes he should put his question to the Home Secretary in private rather than during Parliament.

Format:
Archive Item
Extent:
1 file
Language:
Access Conditions:
Access will be granted to any accredited reader
Repository:
Hull University Archives
Collection:
Records of Liberty (formerly The National Council for Civil Liberties)