§ 1. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Coronation involves the crowning of the head of the State of seven members of the League of Nations and that official invitations have been issued to 51 other members of the League to be present, and that the policy of all parties in this country is declared to be based on the League, he will reconsider the advisability of inviting official representation of the League of Nations itself, either through the President of the Council, the President of the Assembly, or the Secretary-General?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)No, Sir, but, as the House is aware, the Secretary-General will receive an invitation to attend in his personal capacity.
§ Mr. ManderIn view of the fact that this is the first Coronation to take place 2870 in this country since the establishment of the League of nations, does the right hon. Gentleman not think it might be a suitable occasion for setting a precedent, in view also of the policy of His Majesty's Government?
§ 28. Captain Pluggeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether arrangements are to be made for any of the officials and employés of His Majesty's dockyards to witness the Coronation; and, if so, whether he can give details?
§ The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)A limited amount of accommodation, which includes seating and standing room, to view the Coronation Procession, has been placed at the disposal of the Admiralty for allocation amongst Naval and Marine officers on the active and retired lists, members of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service, officers serving in the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and members of the civil staff, including minor, manipulative and industrial grades in London and at the outport establishments. Applications for seats are being received and the actual allotment of places has not yet been made. Standing spaces, which are free, and intended exclusively for minor, manipulative and industrial grades, have been allotted to establishments and will be allocated locally.
§ Captain PluggeCan my hon. Friend tell me how many allocations have been made to Chatham Dockyard?
§ Mr. LindsayI am afraid I cannot give any figures.
§ 72. Mr. Dayasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the large crowds that used the underground railway stations on the occasions of the Jubilee procession and the funeral of His late Majesty King George V, and the danger of accidents occurring to persons who may be crowded on to or pushed from the platforms on to the lines, he will consider making representations to the responsible management of the underground railway in order that only a limited number of persons consistent with safety should be allowed on the railway 2871 platforms at any one time during the period of the Coronation?
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Hore-Belisha)I will bring the hon. Member's question to the notice of the London Passenger Transport Board.
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThey are not dilatory as a rule.
§ 93. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Lord President of the Council what number of seats to view the Coronation procession has been allotted to the women's branch of the British Legion?
§ The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)Seats have not been specifically allocated to the women's section of the British Legion. There is a considerable allocation to the British Legion as a whole, but in accordance with the procedure applied to other organisations, the Legion have not been required to distribute these seats in any particular way. Special arrangements are being made to provide seats for representatives of the widows and mothers of those who fell in the War.
§ Sir A. KnoxDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this organisation is probably the most deserving organisation in the country, and will he use his great influence to obtain an allocation of seats to them to view the Coronation procession?
§ Mr. MacDonaldI am afraid that I cannot arrange for tickets for all organisations claiming seats to view the Royal procession. I prefer to express no further opinion on the matter.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs it not a fact that there are a great number of seats up the committee's sleeve which they can allocate?