§ 56. Mr. GILBERTasked the Prime Minister whether the Government will consider the advisability of commemorating 662 Armistice Day, 11th November; and, as there is now no public holiday between August and Christmas, would they make the anniversary in this and future years a public Bank Holiday?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWHis Majesty's Government do not think that it would be desirable to adopt the hon. Member's-suggestion.
§ Mr. CLYNESIn view of the large number of public meetings which have been arranged to be held on 11th November by the League of Nations Union in support of the leading feature of the Peace Treaty, would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of arranging that the House should not sit on that day in order that Members may be free to attend those-meetings?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can assure my-right hon. Friend that the Government would desire to do anything in their power to emphasise the importance, in their belief, of the League of Nations, but the course which is suggested has never been adopted in this country, and I do not believe that it is one which could be acted upon now.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWould my right hon. Friend allow some of us to have a. word with him before he finally decides?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMost certainly. This is entirely a question where the Government would wish to be guided by the-feelings of the House.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf the right hon. Gentleman is going to grant the Adjournment of the House for this League of Nations, will he grant it for the Derby next year?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI said that this was a question to be decided by the House, and I think, on the whole, that there will be more Members in favour of the League of Nations than the Derby.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYInstead of acquiescing in this suggestion, would the right hon. Gentleman do his best to make people forget the 11th November, when the Armistice was signed?