asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether, in the event of a sufficient sum being raised by public subscription to defray the cost of erecting along the North side of Trafalgar Square small platforms properly constructed to facilitate open-air speaking, he will confer with the other Departments interested as to the possibility of permitting the erection of the platforms suggested; (2) seeing that the scenes which occurred on Sunday, 4th May, in Trafalgar Square were to a great extent due to ignorance on the part of the public of the Regulation that in its own interest speaking cannot be permitted from the South side of the Nelson Monument, whether he will consult with the other Departments interested as to the desirability of erecting along the North side of the square a series of small platforms, properly constructed to facilitate open-air speaking, in order that on occasions of public interest the crowd may be attracted by natural means away from Cockspur Street and the other thoroughfares on the South of the square?

I will consider whether such an arrangement as is suggested is practicable and desirable, and will consult the First Commissioner of Works.