§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether there is any statutory or other obstacle which prevents the display of the National Flag upon the National Parliament House; and whether, in case any such obstacle exists, he will take steps for its removal, and by displaying the National Flag upon the National Parliament House will conform to the practice of every civilized country in the world with the exception of the United Kingdom?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE,) Bradford, CentralThe question raised by the hon. Member was mooted in the last Parliament two years ago. In reply to the question on the subject my pre- 42 decessor, the right hon. Member for the University of Dublin, whose devotion to the Union and the flag is so well known, treated the subject with the gravity it deserved. He said that he had no power in the matter, and referred the questioner to the functionary known as the Lord Great Chamberlain, who alone has authority on such a subject. I cannot give any better answer to the hon. Member.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIs there any obstacle, statutory or otherwise, to prevent the display of the flag?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVREI am not aware of any.