asked the Prime Minister whether she will ensure that departmental Ministers advise all connected with the public services not to pass comments upon accidents and other tragedies when public inquiries are pending or possible, such as happened in the case of the new year Trafalgar Square tragedy.

This is a matter for individual judgment in the particular case. I am sure that in this distressing incident all concerned were well aware of the need not to prejudge the results of any formal inquest or inquiry that may be held.