HC Deb 19 May 1908 vol 189 cc87-9
EARL WINTERTON: (Sussex Horsham)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the Treasury buildings on Empire Day.

The following Questions on the same subject also appeared on the Paper:—

CAPTAIN FABER (Hampshire, Andover)

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the India Office buildings on Empire Day.

SIR WILLIAM BULL (Hammersmith)

To ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the Colonial Office buildings on Empire Day.

EARL WINTERTON

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the Home Office buildings on Empire Day.

MR. BRIDGEMAN (Shropshire, Oswestry)

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the buildings of the Scottish Office on Empire Day.

CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the Board of Trade buildings on Empire Day.

CAPTAIN FABER

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the Local Government Board's buildings on Empire Day.

CAPTAIN CRAIG

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the Education Board's buildings on Empire Day.

EARL WINTERTON

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the Irish Office building on Empire Day.

EARL WINTERTON

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas, he will give instructions for the Union Jack to be flown on the War Office buildings on Empire Day.

THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. Asquith, Fifeshire, E.)

My various colleagues to whom similar Questions have been addressed agree with me that no sufficient reason has been shown for departing in this matter from the practice of our predecessors.

EARL WINTERTON

Arising out of that Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the adjournment of the House.

CAPTAIN CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the past few years, since his predecessors were in office, a very great increase in the feeling in this country and in the Empire beyond the Seas has undoubtedly grown up in favour of celebrating Empire Day, and whether he or any of the other Ministers to whom Questions were put down to-day can give any reason why they should not fly the flag on their respective buildings?

MR. J. MACVEAGH

Will the Prime Minister tell us at the same time what is Empire Day?

MR. ASQUITH

I am afraid I have nothing to add to the Answer I have already given.