HC Deb 31 May 1897 vol 49 cc1615-6
MR. PARKER SMITH (Lanark, Partick)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether the prices charged to Civil Servants for seats to view the Jubilee procession will leave any surplus after defraying the expenses incurred in providing the seats so paid for?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

It is not anticipated that there will be any surplus.

MR. PARKER SMITH

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he proposes to make any provision for Civil Servants to witness the Jubilee Naval Review?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

One hundred and fifty tickets have been issued for distribution to representative members of the Civil Service.

CAPTAIN NORTON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Officers of the Army in India at present on leave in England have been afforded accommodation to view Her Majesty's procession on the 22nd June; and, if so, how many seats have been allotted to them?

*LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

The seats to view Her Majesty's procession on June 22 placed at the disposal of the India Office for the Civil and military services of India have been allotted to those in this country who were considered to have the best claims without regard to the question whether they are at home on leave or otherwise.

CAPTAIN NORTON

had given notice of the following Question:— To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it has been brought to his notice that in the churchyard of St. George's, Southwark, tombstones are being disturbed in order to make room for a stand to view the Jubilee procession, the church itself being used as an office for letting seats; and whether lie will use his influence to put a stop to these proceedings, which are distasteful to many of the inhabitants of the surrounding district. The hon. Member explained that information had reached him that the displacement of tombstones was not so serious as he had been led to believe, and in these circumstances he did not propose to ask the Question.

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

I beg to ask the Chairman of the Kitchen Committee (1) by whose authority 21s. is charged for tickets for luncheon on the 22nd June; and (2) whether, especially as the premises, fuel, table fittings, and many other charges are paid for out of Votes from this House, a more moderate luncheon, say 5s., excluding wine, may be provided?

LORD STANLEY (Lancashire, Westhoughton)

The charge has been settled by the Kitchen Committee. I regret it would be impossible to carry out the proposal suggested in the second part of the Question. [Cries of "Oh, oh !"]

MR. BARTLEY

asked whether those hon. Members who could not afford to pay a guinea were to bring their own luncheons—[laughter]—and by whose authority was Westminster Hall to be closed on that day to hon. Members unless they paid for a ticket?

LORD STANLEY

By the permission of the First Commissioner of Works. [Cries of "Oh !"]

MR. BARTLEY

On behalf of the hon. Member for Tower Hamlets, Stepney (Mr. WOOTTON ISAACSON), I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Her Majesty's Government has come to any decision as to the advisability of meeting the wishes of the inhabitants of the East End of London by allowing the Colonial and Indian troops, accompanied by bands, to march through some of the main thoroughfares, decided on by the War Office, on one occasion during the Jubilee week?

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

This is a more difficult Question than appears at first sight. The Jubilee procession will involve much fatigue on the Colonial and Indian troops; and it will be undesirable to give them much extra work either immediately before or after the principal day. On the other hand, the Secretary of State recognises the reasonableness of the suggestion, and he will do what he can towards complying with it.