§ 3. Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked whether it is to be understood that the Right Hon. the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, who in his civic capacity is chief citizen of the capital of Scotland, is not to be permitted any relaxation of the ordinary regulations that obtain with regard to the admission of visitors to Holyrood Palace; whether, before he can venture to send distinguished visitors there, he must put himself in communication with the First Commissioner of Works and obtain his permission; whether never previously has any such difficulty arisen; and whether the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, as representing the citizens of Edinburgh, has never been guilty of any similar discourtesy to distinguished visitors sent from London with or without previous intimation from London?
§ Mr. W. BENNThe First Commissioner is always pleased to show every courtesy and to grant every facility 1229 to the Right Hon. the Lord Provost of Edinburgh as regards admission to Holyrood. In view, however, of the precautions that have had to be taken to protect this ancient palace against outrage, the existing rule is necessary. Had notice been given, the incident of which my hon. Friend complains would, of course, never have arisen.
§ Mr. HOGGEAre we to understand that the view of the First Commissioner of Works is that the Premier of South Australia would have outraged Holyrood Palace?
§ Mr. W. BENNNo, Sir, that is not the view of the First Commissioner of Works. His view is it would have been better if the authorities of the Lord Provost's office had informed the palace authorities that these distinguished visitors had arrived.
§ Mr. HOGGEHow was it possible to do that when they only arrived in Edinburgh inside of twelve hours' notice. Are we to understand that when distinguished visitors and others less distinguished come facilities for seeing Holyrood Palace will not be granted?
§ Mr. W. BENNI am afraid the hon. Member does not understand. The First Commissioner regrets extremely that these distinguished visitors were not permitted to see the Palace. It would have been quite simple to telephone to the office or to send a messenger, for the office is quite near and the First Commissioner's representative in Edinburgh would have personally seen that they were admitted.