MR. WILLIAM REMONDI desire to ask the Prime Minister, in accordance with private notice, whether the flagon the Victoria Tower of Parliament has been half-masted as a mark of respect to the memory of His Holiness, Leo XIII., following precedent in similar cases in the past, and as has been done with regard to the American Flag, by order of-President Roosevelt, all over the United States.
§ MR. VICTOR CAVENDISH (Derbyshire, W.)rose to answer the Question, whereupon—
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDsaid: As this is a matter of international interest, courtesy, and sentiment, I think I may claim an answer from the Prime Minister.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have asked my hon. friend to reply.
§ MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHThe answer is in the negative. There has been no rule in these matters, and I can find no precedent which exactly applies. The question of making rules concerning the flying of the flag at half-mast will be considered.
§ MR. MALCOLM (Suffolk, Stow-market)As this mark of respect was paid by us to the memory of the King of Italy, will my hon. friend consult Lord Windsor and the Prime Minister as to the advisability of creating a precedent to enable similar tribute to be paid to the spiritual head of a Church to whom spiritual obedience is given by some millions of His Majesty's subjects?
§ MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHI shall be glad to bring this subject before the Commissioner of Works, but it is impossible to make any statement on the subject at the present moment.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIn view of the fact that in every part of the world, and especially in every part of the English-speaking world, the greatest respect was shown to the memory of his holiness, will the Prime Minister consider the advisability of giving the mark of respect I have signified on the day at least of the funeral?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Member, I hope, will recognise that this is not a question of respect for the late Pope, the respect for whom, I believe, is universal. It does not turn upon that it all. It turns upon the precedent which we ought to establish with regard to all such cases, and the precedent must evidently have effect, whether the individual in whose memory the flag is lowered is I respected or not. It turns not in respect 87 of his personal character, but on his position. We must have some general rule applicable to all such cases irrespective of sentiments we may feel in a particular case. Otherwise we shall be involved in constant difficulties at future periods.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIs the right hon. gentleman aware of the fact that on all Government buildings throughout the whole of the colonies of the British Empire this mark of respect was paid without the slightest hesitation.
§ [No answer was returned.]
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)In dealing with this very important matter, will the Prime Minister consider the advisability of trying to induce the Corporation of Dublin to fly the flag on top of the City Hall in honour of the King's visit?
§ [No answer was returned.]