Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Parliamentary Petitions by Mr Amrin Amin, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health

Question:

Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Police will favorably consider an application to collect signatures for the purposes of a parliamentary petition on any given matter in a public place; and (b) how and at which public venues other than Speakers' Corner can citizens legally make arrangements to sign a parliamentary petition as the parliamentary Standing Orders require a physical signature.

Answer:

1. Such events can be held at the Speakers' Corner.

2. Those who wish to hold such events outside the Speakers' Corner, will have to apply for a permit. A Police permit is not required for public assemblies at the Speakers' Corner which meet the conditions set out in the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) Order 2016.