§ 56. Major HAMILTONasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the great demand, by the widows and mothers of officers and men who were killed in the War, for seats in Westminster Abbey and for the unveiling of the Cenotaph, he will allot any accommodation which would usually be reserved for Members of both Houses of Parliament to such widows and mothers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe view of the Government was that Parliament, as the representative of the nation, should be officially present at this ceremony. If there be a general desire on the part of Members of these Houses to surrender, for the benefit of bereaved wives and mothers, such accommodation in the Abbey and near the Cenotaph as in the ordinary course might have been placed at the disposal of Members, His Majesty's Government will be glad to make arrangements accordingly.
§ 57. Sir BURTON CHADWICKasked the Prime Minister whether the two minutes' silence is to be observed on 48 Armistice Day throughout Great Britain; if so, at what time of the day; and whether, in order to make the silence complete, he will cause an order to be issued that all motor vehicles shall stop their engines in order that sound as well as movement shall cease?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that the Cabinet Committee which is charged with the duty of supervising the arrangements for the proposed ceremonies on 11th November have recommended that there should be a two minutes' silence observed throughout the United Kingdom, and, if possible, in the Dominions and Indian Empire, at 11 a.m.; and that, as on the last anniversary of Armistice Day, there should be a complete suspension of normal business, work, and locomotion during the two minutes, so far as this may be found to be practicable.
§ Sir B. CHADWICKIn addition to the stoppage of movement, will the right hon. Gentleman issue an order or a request that a stoppage of sound should coincide with it and that motor engines shall be stopped as well as the movement of vehicles?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, I think that is very desirable.
§ Mr. HOGGEThe right hon. Gentleman said he took it we agreed to a certain arrangement. While we are all agreeable to that, would he take into consideration this point, that those of us who represent individual constituencies might have a recommendation in our constituencies of the widow and the mother—[HON. MEMBERS: "NO."]
§ The PRIME MINISTERI take it the House is prepared to surrender its privileges in this respect, and I gathered from the reception that that was the feeling. I think they ought to be surrendered altogether because there is really no time to go through that process. Therefore I will communicate with the Committee in charge what the feeling of the House is.
§ The PRIME MINISTERMay I take it from that that the House would prefer that course?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the possibility of burying 49 the body of an unknown sailor side by side with the unknown soldier in Westminster Abbey on Armistice Day so that the same honour may be given to both Services?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have not received this notice.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEI gave you notice on Saturday.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sorry, but I think I shall be able to answer it. That is a question which was very carefully considered by the Cabinet, and we considered it, I need hardly say, after consulting the distinguished sailors who advise the Admiralty, and also the distinguished soldiers who advise the Air Board, because there was another branch of the Services also concerned, and the conclusion come to by all the Services was that under the circumstances the course which has been adopted is the right one. The inscription on the coffin is not "a soldier." He is described as an unknown warrior. He therefore will represent all the Services, and I think, after consulting all those who are concerned, that was the general view. It gave us a good deal of anxiety, but I think it is the only conclusion we could come to.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the published statement of the troops who are to line the streets prominence is given to Guards and other military regiments, but no names of naval men are mentioned?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe arrangements were entered into with the Admiralty, and whatever arrangements were made are arrangements they have assented to. The pall bearers include distinguished admirals.