§ 55. Mr. LYNCHasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that even in the reign of Queen Victoria the principle was not recognised that the monarch by prerogative spoke of the Army of the nation as "My Army," he will state the constitutional authority on which the present practice rests; and whether, in view of the necessity of giving the freest play to democratic sentiment, he will arrange, by legislation or otherwise, that the phrase "My Army" be discarded in Royal pronouncements?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Member is mistaken as to the practice in Queen Victoria's reign. If he will refer to the Hansard of the period he will find the same phraseology used repeatedly. There has been no change in this respect and there is no intention of making any.
§ Mr. LYNCHIs it not a fact that Lord Palmerston prepared announcements for Queen Victoria to which she objected because he refused to style the Army "My Army"?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have never been informed as to the accuracy of that historical statement.
§ Mr. LYNCHWill the right hon. Gentleman weigh his answer in connection with the present circumstances, where it is necessary to call upon the democratic spirit of the people to eliminate—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is raising matter of debate.