§ 4. Mr. KINGasked whether, on the occasion of the International Eucharistic Congress to take place in Malta from 24th to 27th April, a British naval guard is to line the route in honour of the procession; and whether, in order to prevent an insincere religious observance, he will give orders that no non-Catholic sailor need form part of the guard, and that it is in no case incumbent upon any sailor to salute any person or symbol in the procession?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 359 17th March by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to a similar question by the hon. Member for Wandsworth.
§ 5. Mr. KINGasked whether instructions have been given for a vessel of His Majesty's Navy to carry the Papal Legate to Malta for the approaching Eucharistic Congress; if so, what will be the cost of this voyage; whether the Papal Nuncio will also return on a warship; and whether it is intended that ecclesiastics of other faiths will be similarly honoured on ceremonial occasions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second part, there will be a small expenditure of coal; to the third part, no arrangement for the return has yet been made; and to the fourth part, certainly, if the circumstances are similar.
§ Mr. KINGBefore arrangements are made for the return voyage, will the Italian Government be approached to see whether they will co-operate by arranging that one of their vessels shall take this gentleman home?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is simply an act of courtesy to a distinguished visitor.