HC Deb 26 April 1887 vol 314 cc10-1
MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the House will have an opportunity to pronounce an opinion upon the Estimate of the expenditure connected with the Jubilee Service in Westminster Abbey, before that expenditure has been incurred; whether it is correct, as stated in the Press, that all materials employed in erecting galleries, &c, will become the property of the Dean and Chapter; whether any Estimate has been made of the expenditure that would be required were the Jubilee Service to take place in St. Paul's Cathedral; and, if so, whether it would be loss than that which is contemplated in Westminster Abbey; and, whether all seats will be reserved, or whether any portion of the Abbey will be thrown open to the public; and, if so, what portion?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)

The Estimate will, I hope, be laid upon the Table within a few days; but it may, and probably will, be necessary to incur some expense before the Vote can be taken. It is not proposed that the materials employed in erecting galleries, &c, shall become the property of the Dean and Chapter. No accurate Estimate of the cost of holding the Service in St. Paul's has been made; but, judging from the precedent of the Thanksgiving Ceremony on the occasion of the recovery of the Prince of Wales, the cost would be about the same as that of a ceremony in Westminster Abbey. The arrangements with regard to the distribution of seats will be in the hands of the Lord Chamberlain; and I have no doubt that he will, as in former similar cases, provide, as far as possible, for the representation of all classes and interests of the people. The admission will, I presume, be by ticket.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Do I understand that the Estimates will be voted before the Service takes place?

MR. PLUNKET

The Estimate will be laid on the table as soon as possible; but I cannot undertake to say that none of the expense will be incurred before the Vote is passed.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Will the Vote be taken before the ceremony?

MR. PLUNKET

I hope so, certainly.