53. Lieut. - Colonel SPENDER CLAYasked the Prime Minister whether £20,000 is to be spent on a display of fireworks in Hyde Park during Peace celebrations on 19th July; and whether, in view of the need for national economy and the pressing demands for improved pensions and allowances in many branches of Government service, he will take steps to discourage such unproductive expenditure both by Government Departments and by local authorities?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe sum named by my hon. Friend is very greatly in excess of that actually sanctioned. In determining the amount of money to be devoted to decorations and festivities generally in London, I can assure the House that His Majesty's Government have had careful regard to the necessity of avoiding all extravagance and to confine the expenditure within strictly reasonable limits, while ensuring that the celebration in the centre of the Empire of, perhaps, the greatest event in history shall not be entirely unworthy of the occasion.