HC Deb 24 May 1897 vol 49 cc1126-7
SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the fact that the establishment of the Volunteer Force on its present basis as a permanent national institution of unpaid soldiery has been one of the principal events of the Queen's reign, Her Majesty proposes, on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee, and during the visit of the Nation's guests, to hold a review of the force in London or elsewhere?

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

It will not, I fear, be possible to include a review of the Volunteer Force among the arrangements to be made in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee during the next few weeks, but the force will be largely represented on the occasion of the ceremony of the 22nd.

MR. HARRY FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any arrangement will be made for enabling the Foreign Consular Corps in London to attend the approaching Diamond Jubilee celebration or to take part in the Royal Procession?

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

The arrangements in connection with the celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee do not rest with the Foreign. Office. We have not heard that it is in contemplation to make any provision for the attendance or participation of the Foreign Consular Body.

SIR CHARLES DALRYMPLE (Ipswich)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether any arrangement will be made for enabling the High Sheriffs of counties of England to witness the Jubilee Procession, seeing that in 1887 the position which they hold was recognised by their having places assigned to them in Westminster Abbey?

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

I regret that I do not see my way to allot to the High Sheriffs tickets for the stands which are being erected for the Government Departments to view the Queen's Procession.