HC Deb 30 April 1897 vol 48 cc1350-1
SIR HOWARD VINCENT

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he intends to propose that the House of Commons shall attend Divine Service in St. Margaret's Church, as the Church of the House, on the 20th of June, the Sunday appointed for national thanksgiving for the Queen's long reign, as in 1887; and, in such case, if he will move Mr. Speaker to invite the Premiers of the self-governing Colonies, who will be in London on that day as the guests of the nation, to accompany the Imperial House of Commons on the occasion, and also any members of Colonial Legislatures then in England who may desire to do so, and make application through their respective Agents General?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

In answer to my hon. Friend I have to say that it is impossible at the present time to determine whether the House will be in Session on June 20, or whether we shall be absent on our holidays. ["Hear, hear!"] But until I know with more certainty I ought not to hold out any undue prospects in view of that contingency. It depends upon how we get on with our business, and until I can forecast the probable duration of the holidays I am afraid that I cannot answer my hon. Friend's Question. ["Hear, hear!"]