HC Deb 27 April 1897 vol 48 cc1127-8
SIR EDWARD GOURLEY (Sunderland)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if he has concluded his arrangements for the purpose of enabling Members of both Houses of Parliament to witness the procession of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, intended to commemorate the sixtieth year of her reign; if so, will he be good enough to inform the House the nature of the arrangements; and whether any and what number of places will be allotted to Members in addition to their own?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS, Kent, St. Augustine's)

The arrangements are concluded so far as I am concerned. Members of both. Houses of Parliament will have one ticket free and two tickets for which 12s. 6d. each will be paid. [Cries of "Oh, Oh!"and "Hear, hear!"] Members of the House of Lords will have a stand set apart for them in front of the National Gallery. Members of the House of Commons will have allotted to them stands on Speaker's Green and in New Palace Yard.

MR. THOMAS B. CURRAN (Donegal, N.)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether, when he is considering the accommodation for Members and officials of the House to view the Royal Procession on the 22nd of June, he will endeavour to find space for the members of the Press in the Lobby and Gallery of the House of Commons?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I hope it may be possible to make some provision of the nature indicated for members of the Press in attendance at the Houses of Parliament.

MR. T. B. CURRAN

asked how many seats the right hon. Gentleman hoped to be able to place at the disposal of the Press Gallery?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

The hon. Gentleman must give me a little time to consider that question, but I hope to be able to provide ample accommodation.

MR. D. CRILLY (Mayo, N.)

asked whether it was intended to erect any seats in St. James's Park?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

No, Sir; the only seats we propose to erect are those for the accommodation of the Members of the two Houses of Parliament and of certain. Government officers.

DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)

On behalf of the hon. Member for Dundee (Sir JOHN LENG), I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can now state what arrangements have been or are likely to be made For the representation of Crimean veterans in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Her Majesty's reign?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford)

The military authorities have carefully considered the proposals to secure a representation of the veterans if the Army on 22nd June, and it is considered that they will be most fittingly represented by the pensioners of Chelsea Hospital, who number over 400, and are ill men of long service, of whom the great majority have campaign records. A special position will be allotted to them to see the procession.