§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the King's Regulations provide that the Union Jack shall be flown at certain military stations on anniversaries and other occasions, he would direct that Empire Day should be observed as an anniversary both at home and abroad?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe hon. Member asked me an exactly similar question in July last. Will he kindly refer to the reply I gave him on that occasion, to which I have nothing to add? We do not attach the same importance to Empire Day as some hon. Members opposite.
§ Mr. ASHLEYMay I ask, in view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman refers me to his answer of last year, and that the answer he gave last year referred to the answers he gave two or three years before, whether he will state why he persists in treating Empire Day in this way?
§ Mr. HALDANEWe do not think the Empire is held together by the flying of flags.
§ Mr. ASHLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman attach no value to sentiment?
§ Mr. HALDANEI do not say that I attach no value to sentiment, but there are many very important things to be done first.
§ Mr. ROBERT DUNCANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if there has not been a vast change in public opinion during the past year?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members can form their own opinion on that matter.