HC Deb 30 March 1900 vol 81 cc796-7
SIR MARK STEWART (Kircudbright)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the rule recently created by the British Commissioners for the Paris Exhibition which has made it imperative on all English exhibitors to uncover and display their goods on every day when the exhibition is open, and for all hours of the day, including specifically the Lord's Day; whether he is aware that in the Paris Exhibitions of 1867, 1878, and 1889, exhibitors from Great Britain have as a rule steadfastly refused to exhibit on Sundays; whether the President of the United States of America has directed the United States Commissioner to prevent as far as possible the exhibition of goods from America on the Lord's Day. And whether the Government will use their efforts with the * See The Parliamentary Debate [Fourth Series], Vol. lxxvii., p. 731 (26th October, 1899); Vol. lxxviii., p. 712 (6th February, 1900). British Commissioners to secure as far as possible the non-exhibition of goods on the Lord's Day.

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

The matter has been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State, but it is a question for consideration by the Royal Commission, and does not fall within the competence of the Foreign Office. The attention of the Secretary of the Royal Commission has, however, been drawn to the subject.