HC Deb 05 November 1934 vol 293 cc637-8
46. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will take steps to restore to Wales the title of Dominion which was used in official documents up to the year 1800?

47. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give consideration to the revival in Royal Proclamations and other official documents of the description of Wales as the Dominion of Wales which had been in use for 200 years up to the year 1800?

Mr. BALDWIN

I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Members, to which effect could be given only by legislation.

Mr. DAVIES

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the putting of some provision in the King's Speech at the opening of the next Parliament to remove this offence to the Principality?

Mr. BALDWIN

I think the notice would be all too short. The term "Dominion" had a very different connotation in 1800 from what it has to-day, and no change in the Royal Title could be made without the consent of the whole Empire; and if any alteration be suggested for Wales I shall put in a plea that England may not be forgotten.

Mr. DAVID EVANS

In view of the fact that the barren and obsolete title referred to in the two questions gave no powers at all to the Principality to control its own affairs, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in order to relieve the congestion of this House, he will consider legislation to give the reality of control to Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom; and will lie bear in mind the views of duly elected representatives of the Principality and not representatives of Manchester or Croydon?