§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is intended to hold a Special Service in Westminster Abbey on Monday the 20th of June, in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the accession of 723 the Queen, and if he will recommend to Her Majesty to direct the Archbishops and Bishops to prepare a special form of thanksgiving and prayer for that occasion for general use throughout England and Wales, and also take steps to secure the observance of the day as a general holiday?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)In answer to a question which last week I asked the hon. Member for the Tradeston Division of Glasgow (Mr. Corbett) to postpone till I could consult my Colleagues, and also in answer to the present Question, I wish to state that Her Majesty has been pleased to express her pleasure to attend a Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday, the 21st of June, at Westminster Abbey, and arrangements fitting for the occasion will be made. It is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to recommend that the day shall be observed as a national holiday.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)May I ask if the Government would request the hon. Gentleman to facilitate this laudable purpose by producing a prayer of his own?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!