proceedings which had been instituted under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936 since its introduction in 1976. As indicated above (para. 271), this section has now been repealed and replaced by part III of the Public Order Act 1986. Figures for prosecutions for incitement to racial hatred were not kept centrally before 1979; since then, there have been 44 prosecutions for incitement to racial hatred. Article 21 274. While the views of some organizations may be regarded as offensive, the Government does not regard nffensiveness as a suitable test for imposing bans on marches or conditions on public assemblies. It is too subjective and could lead to an unacceptable infringement of free speech. There are therefore no powers to ban meetings or assemblies on grounds of offensiveness and such a power would, in the Government's view, be unacceptable. Marches can therefore be banned only if serious public disorder is apprehended. Statutory conditions can be imposed on a public assembly or march only if one of four tests (serious disorder, serious damage, serious disruption, or coercion) is apprehended. The tests set a high threshold below which the imposition of conditions is not possible. CCPR/C/58/Add.6 page 62 275. The imposition of conditions on a march or meeting, or the prohibition of a march, can be challenged in the courts by way of judicial review if they are thought to have been imposed unreasonably. Because conditions can, if necessary, be imposed by the senior police officer at the scene, situations might in principle occur where the judicial process could not take place between the imposition of conditions and the start of the event. However, the imposition of conditions a breach of which constitutes a criminal offence could be challenged in any such criminal proceedings. In practice, significant assemblies or processions are invariably discussed between the 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the Public Order Act, specifically the regulations regarding marches, meetings, and public assemblies. It seems to be focused on the governance and restrictions of public gatherings, rather than any specific economic, environmental, or scientific topic. The text also mentions judicial review and criminal proceedings, indicating a focus on law and order.

**Category**
Law and Order, Public Administration