HC Deb 17 June 1897 vol 50 cc285-6
MR. B. L. COHEN (Islington, E.)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that Civil Servants have been charged the sum of 12s. 6d. for each seat to view the Diamond Jubilee Procession on a stand erected by Her Majesty's Office of Works; and whether, out of the sum so received from Civil Servants, seats have been provided on the stand gratis for the accommodation of other persons who are not Civil Servants?

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

The answer to the first part of the Question of my hon. Friend is in the affirmative. As to the second part, no seats are provided gratis out of the sum so received.

SIR WILLIAM WILLS (Bristol, E.)

asked whether the First Commissioner of Works could arrange to have back rails attached to the Jubilee seats provided for hon. Members and their friends. The seats as at present provided consisted of mere forms, which would be very fatiguing, to sit upon for several hours?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I do not think that it would be possible at the present time to make any such alteration as would admit of that being done.

MR. J. M. MACLEAN (Cardiff)

asked whether the seats were to remain quite uncovered, so that hon. Members and their friends might be exposed to the inconvenient effects of either the sun or the rain?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I am afraid that it would be impossible now to erect any awning over the seats. I must point out that great consideration has been shown by the officials of the House who have windows overlooking the road, and in the circumstances I should not like to block the whole of their view.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can recommend to Her Majesty, on the coming celebration of her long reign, to release Arabi Pacha and his fellow Egyptian political exiles from the detention which they have endured for the last 15 years?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to a Question on the same subject put by the hon. Member for South Mayo on February 8 last.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the substance of that answer?

MR. CURZON

The substance of the answer I then gave was a negative. ["Hear, hear!"]

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

Arising out of that answer, may I ask whether these men are to be kept in perpetual exile by way of punishment or by way of precaution?

MR. CURZON

With all respect I do not think that that Question does arise out of my answer.