§ MR. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he will use his influence to have Her Majesty's birthday kept and celebrated as an universal holiday upon the 24th of May, except when the 24th of May falls upon a Sunday, in which case to celebrate it upon the Monday immediately following, so that the many millions of Her Majesty's subjects at Home and Abroad in Her Majesty's possessions may have an opportunity of evincing their loyalty to the Throne, and simultaneously enjoy an universal holiday all over the world?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, MidlothianIt does not form any part of my ordinary duties to interfere in the choice of the day on which Her Majesty's birthday is to be celebrated. If, indeed, the Government were conscious that there was any great desire on the part of the public for the adoption of a particular plan, I have no doubt they could effectually promote its adoption. I am not conscious of any such desire, however, and, under those circumstances, I do not feel able to promise to adopt the plan suggested by the hon. Member.