To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008, Official Report, columns 1241-42W, on demonstrations: Parliament Square, when the Government's response to the Joint Committee on the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill's report, stated in the answer to be imminent, will be published. (249772)

[holding answer 20 January 2009]: The Ministry of Justice is co-ordinating the Government's response to the report of the Joint Committee on the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill. We continue to give careful consideration to the recommendations on protests around Parliament which are set out in the Joint Committee's report and a full response will be published ahead of the Constitutional Renewal Bill's introduction to Parliament.

The Government are keen to give a substantial response to the Joint Committee but this has meant resolving all outstanding policy issues before the Bill is introduced. We recognise that there has been a long period since the publication of the report, but believe it is better to respond fully to the committee's recommendations on all aspects of the draft Bill. We intend to respond as early as possible in 2009.