§ MR. DANEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say that adequate provision will be made for the representation of the Royal Irish Constabulary Force in Her Most Gracious Majesty's Jubilee Procession?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI regret I am not yet able to make an announcement in answer to this Question.
§ MR. GERALD LODER (Brighton)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, with a view of allowing managers of elementary schools to give children an extra week's holiday in commemoration of Her Majesty's long reign, he will take steps so far to modify Article 83 of the Code of Regulations as to make the minimum number of times which a school must be opened for the present year 390 instead of 400?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir JOHN GORST, Cambridge University)I do not think any modification of the Article is desirable. The Education Department already have power under the Code to deal with exceptional cases, if necessary.
§ MR. J. LOWLES (Shoreditch, Haggerston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in connection with the National rejoicing and thanksgiving for Her Majesty's long and auspicious reign, he will advise the extension of the Royal clemency to first offenders and other prisoners undergoing terms of imprisonment for minor offences in Great Britain and Ireland?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY, Lancashire, Blackpool)I do not think it would be consistent with my public duty to tender such advice to Her Majesty as the hon. Member suggests. Even if I could approve his proposal in principle, I still foresee very great difficulties attaching to any method of giving effect to it.