Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister if he will state whether the circular addressed to British Embassies and Legations abroad instructing the diplomatic representatives of Great Britain to suggest to the Governments to which they are accredited that in future, when official missions or high dignitaries from the one country visit the other, they should refrain from placing any wreath or flowers on the local war memorial or tomb of the Unknown Warrior, was sent with the authority or approval of the Cabinet or himself?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)Yes, Sir. The subject was reconsidered by His Majesty's present Government at the end of last year, when it was decided to sound other Governments unofficially in order to ascertain whether they would be in favour of such a proposal if put forward officially. The replies received being generally favourable, it was decided by the Government to put forward the proposal officially to the Governments of all the countries allied and associated in the War. The Governments of the Dominions were also consulted before the proposal was actually made. Since there appears to have been some misunderstanding regarding the proposal, I should like to take this opportunity of assuring the House that the proposal was not intended to interfere in any way with individual discretion in this matter. Its object was to obviate any risk of a ceremony which should he simple and spontaneous becoming a mere formality of international courtesy. Still less was it intended to suggest that there should be any curtailment of the general ceremonies on Armistice Day in this country or of the laying of wreaths by individuals at any time on the Cenotaph or the grave of the Unknown Warrior.
§ Major COHENSeeing that this very deeply affects ex-service men and the relatives of those who fought in the War, may I ask whether any steps whatsoever were taken to ascertain public opinion on this matter; and also whether, if it had to be done, the Prime Minister thinks that a fortnight before Armistice Day was a seemly time to do it?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROf course, all these are considerations, but I can assure the House that the one motive that animated the Government was to keep a thing which ought to be a homage of the heart from becoming a mere formality. That was our intention.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that actions such as those suggested in the circular to which I have referred might cause great grief to the friends of those who lost their lives during the War; and would he give instructions to his Ministers that in future it would be inadvisable for them to interfere in any way with those who are desirous of placing wreaths or flowers on any memorial?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have made it perfectly clear that the realm of the expression of grief and of memory has not been invaded in any way by what has been done.
§ Major COHENIf the Prime Minister finds that public opinion is against this, is the decision absolutely irrevocable?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think it would be better for all to let the matter stand, especially as the unofficial soundings produced the result which I have indicated.