§ 51. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange that before the present Session ends the thanks of Parliament shall be publicly given to the armed forces of the Crown for their heroic services during the present War?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe have carefully considered this question. His Majesty the King will, in the speech which he intends to deliver to-morrow, be the first, since the signing of the Armistice, to give expression to the gratitude of the whole Empire to those who have won the victory. In view of the period of the Session, and of the fact that peace has not yet been signed, and that our troops are still marching towards Germany, we have decided, although I know that the present House of Commons would regard it as a privilege 3193 to pass such a Resolution, that it is better that this honour should be reserved to the new Parliament.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my right hon. Friend take care that the thanks of Parliament are publicly given to our fighting forces as soon as possible after the reassembling of the new Parliament, assuming, as I do, that my right hon. Friend will be in his present position?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has just violated the canon I have laid down—that hon. Members should have regard to the rights of other Members, and not monopolise the time of the House.