HC Deb 18 June 1897 vol 50 cc363-9
MR. W. H. MYERS (Winchester)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if he will kindly state by whose authority a large stand has been built on the northern side of Trafalgar Square, whereby a large portion of the public is excluded from viewing the Royal Procession?

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

The permission for the erection of the stand in question was given by me. The stand is built in the well of the square on ground from which it would have been impossible fur anyone to have seen the Procession.

MR. J. L. WANKLYN (Bradford, Central)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if all the detachments of Indian and colonial troops who arc visiting the United kingdom as the guests of the nation in connection with the Jubilee have now arrived; and, if so, whether the Colonial Office will publish a list of these Jubilee guests, setting out the localities from which they come, the name of the officer in command of each detachment, the name of the officer detailed by the Home Authorities to attend to each detachment, the total number of each detachment, the quarters where they are stationed, the arrangements which have been made for their entertainment during their visit, and any other information which may be of service to those who desire to offer hospitality to these national guests?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.

It is expected that the entire colonial contingent will have arrived at Chelsea Barracks by this evening. A list of the various detachments, and of the Colonies they represent, has already been published in the Press, and I will consider whether any further details may advantageously be added.

MR. WANKLYN

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if arrangements will be made for the detachments of Indian and colonial troops who are visiting the United Kingdom as the guests of the nation to witness the Naval Review free of charge, and to be suitably entertained upon that occasion at the expense of the nation?

MR. WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether steps can be taken to give the colonial troops now here an opportunity of witnessing the Naval Review; and whether the railway companies could be induced to grant free passes to those troops the colonial rifle teams now here, so that they might have an opportunity of seeing the places of interest in their Mother Country?

SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the dependence of the Colonies upon sea communication, and having regard to the Resolution of the Parliament of Cape Colony respecting contribution to the Fleet, any arrangements have been made for enabling the officers and men of the colonial forces now in this country to witness the Naval Review; and, if so, to state what is the nature of arrangements made?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. GOSCETEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

Arrangements have been in progress front the first for the officers and men of the colonial forces (about 800 in number) to see the ships assembled at Spithead. A special train will be provided to take them to Portsmouth on the morning of June 30, and to bring them back in the evening. The party will be taken round the Fleet in dockyard steamers, and an opportunity will be given to them to visit certain ships. If time admits, the party will also be shown round the dockyard. Luncheon will be provided in the dockyard. The officers belonging to Her Majesty's Indian forces will have an opportunity of seeing the Fleet at Spit-head on Saturday, June 26. There are no troops in England.

MR. WANKLYN

Am I to understand, from what the right hon. Gentleman has said, that these detachments of Indian and colonial troops will not be entertained on the 26th, the day of the Review, and that no provision will be made for them?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

I have stated the arrangements which have been made. All the Indian officers, 62 in number, will go down on the 26th, and they will be provided for as other visitors will be. The 800 troops will go down on Wednesday, the 30th, and the whole day will be appropriated to them, and they will see all the ships. ["Hear, hear!"] Individual attention will be paid to them, and I think they will come back realising not only the strength of the forces at Spit-head, but also the enormous resources of the dockyard. ["Hear, hear!"] I can assure the House and the public on the point that, in making the arrangements, we have been most anxious to give our colonial fellow-subjects even more special attention than they would have had if they had gone down with the thousands on the day of the Review. [Cheers.]

MR. G. C. T. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can be made by which the colonial and Indian troops can visit the north of London?

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

The time has elapsed in which it would be practicable to make arrangements for other marches through London than those already decided on.

MR. ARTHUR JEFFREYS (Hants, Basingstoke)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made to enable Members of Parliament to witness the review at Aldershot on 1st July; and whether, in the event of stands being erected, seats will be allotted to the wives and families of soldiers quartered at Aldershot?

MR. BRODRICK

Arrangements have been made to enable Members of both Houses of Parliament to see the review at Aldershot. Information as to the conditions will be duly advertised. One thousand one hundred free tickets have been assigned to the general officer commanding at Aldershot, and the space for carriages has been placed under his control, to be apportioned as he may think fit, among residents in the camp and neighbourhood.

GENERAL SIR HENRY HAVELOCK-ALLAN (Durham, S.E.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, seeing how amply the other portions of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Wales) are represented by their national regiments at the Diamond Jubilee on the 22nd instant, arrangements can be made that the composite Irish regiment that has been brought over from Ireland, composed of detachments of which the Royal Irish Regiment is the senior, a corps which has a history of 213 years and no less than 64 engagements inscribed on its record, and which has always been considered the Royal Regiment of Ireland, may be retained here to march past at the Jubilee Review at Aldershot on the 1st July, and in the meantime may be allowed the privilege of furnishing a guard of honour to Her Host Gracious Majesty, as has been allowed to the Royal West Surrey Regiment for the 22nd instant?

MR. BRODRICK

The Question of my gallant Friend refers, I presume, to the composite battalion which is to represent the Irish Militia at the Jubilee ceremonial, of which battalion a detachment of the Royal Irish Regiment forms part. The period of training of the 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment expires on the 26th inst., and therefore a special Order in Council would be necessary to keep the detachment under arms. Even if so retained it would not be large enough to furnish Her Majesty's guard of honour. I may add that the West Surrey Regiment furnishes the guard of honour for the Jubilee, not because it is an English regiment, but because it happens to be the senior line regiment represented on the occasion.

MAJOR JAMESON (Clare, W.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, if the colonial troops are to be started two hours in advance of the general procession on Tuesday next, he would consider the propriety of keeping the colonial troops in the general procession and of sending, if necessary, some less representative part of the general procession in their place?

MR. BRODRICK

The object of starting the colonial procession earlier than the main procession is twofold. First; that the colonial troops shall themselves be seen along the whole route; and, secondly, that they shall witness the passing of the main procession of Her Majesty, which none of the troops forming the main procession will do. This h effected by starting the colonial procession early and using it to line Ludgate Hill while the Queen passes. It will them form again and march in rear of the main procession for the rest of the route.

MR. JOHN AIRD (Paddington, N.)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if Hyde Park will be open for carriage traffic from the Marble Arch to Hyde Park Corner on Jubilee Day?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

In reply to my hon. Friend, I have heard from the Commissioner of Police that Hyde Park will be open for carriage traffic all day on the 22nd inst., but the gates at Hyde Park Corner will be closed after 8.30 a.m. until the military are withdrawn from the route of the Queen's Procession.

MR. REGINALD McKENNA (Monmouth, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the officers of constabulary forces will receive any recognition for long service, in commemoration of the Jubilee?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpool

I am afraid that this is not a matter on which I am able to give the House any information.

MR. AIRD

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Members will be allowed their usual privileges on Jubilee Day in access to and from the House; and, if arrangements could be made for giving Members a special pass for use on that day?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

I think the hon. Member will see that it would be quite impossible for the police to maintain a line for the procession if Members were to exercise their privileges as regards access to the House by or across the streets which form part of the route of the procession. The police have orders to afford every possible facility for the carriages of Members to reach New Palace Yard on the tickets of admission being shown; and if, as I hope, Members will, after the hours laid down in the regulations, approach the House otherwise than by the line of route, they will, I think, experience no difficulty. ["Hear, hear!"]

CAPTAIN PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the allowance to volunteers taking part in the celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee in London having been fixed at 1s. for each volunteer for those corps whose headquarters are under 50 miles from London, and 2s. for those whose headquarters are over 50 miles distant, the Government will be prepared to take special consideration of the case of the Scottish volunteers, with a view of defraying to a certain extent the extra travelling expenses entailed on Scottish corps by their increased distance front London as compared with English corps?

MR. BRODRICK

The allowances (to volunteers) referred to are to meet incidental charges and are not for travelling expenses. Corps electing to attend the Jubilee Celebration will be expected to make their own arrangements for travelling.

MR. LEES KNOWLES (Salford, W.)

On behalf of die hon. Member for the Ecelesall Division (Sir ELLIS ASHMED-BARTLETT) I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will arrange for Members of the House of Commons awl their friends to go on board the Campania on Friday night for the Naval Review?

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. W. E. MACARTNEY,, Antrim. S.)

who answered the Question, said: The time of arrival of the Campania at Southampton will net admit of the arrangement suggested by the hon. Member.

SIR ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

[who had in the meantime entered t he Home] asked whether it would not he possible, in view of the great convenience it would be to Members of the House to go on board the Campania on Friday night, to make arrangements for the vessel to be at Southampton a little carlier?

MR. MACARTNEY

No, Sir. I regret to say it is absolutely impossible to make any arrangements to berth the Campania before Saturday morning.