§ 25. Mr. HALESasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider the production of an oil painting, to be hung in a suitable position in the Palace of Westminster, to commemorate the scene in Westminster Hall on the occasion of the visit of their Majesties to both Houses of Parliament, in order to hand down to posterity a permanent record of that event?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)The question of the best form of any commemoration of last Thursday's ceremony will require very careful consideration, and, while grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion, I cannot give a definite answer until I have made further inquiries.
§ 35. Mr. HALESasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, having regard to the fact that over 53, 000 Australians and New Zealanders are now visiting Great Britain for the Jubilee celebrations, many of them for the first time in their lives, he will consider the advisability of organising an official reception to welcome them in the Albert Hall, London, in order to demonstrate 1365 to our kinsmen overseas that their visit to this country is much appreciated and will strengthen the bonds of Empire?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)While I appreciate the motive underlying my hon. Friend's suggestion, I am afraid that its adoption would not be practicable. There are, of course, numerous individual functions in connection with the Silver Jubilee celebrations in which His Majesty's subjects from overseas are participating with His Majesty's subjects in this country, and I need hardly say how glad we are to see so many of our kinsmen from overseas present here on this happy occasion.
§ 41. Sir JOHN POWERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of special constables who were on duty in the Metropolis on 6th May?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)The numbers were 3, 467 in the Metropolitan Police District and 885 in the City of London.
§ Sir J. POWERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the services rendered by special constables are entirely unpaid?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThere are some allowances.
45. Commander OLIVER LOCKERLAMPSONasked the Prime Minister whether he will signalise the occasion of His Majesty's 25 years of constitutional monarchical reign by the despatch of a message of goodwill to the President of the United States of America?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)His Majesty has himself received a message of goodwill from the President of the United States, to which he has already sent a suitable reply. I do not consider, in the circumstances, that any further message is necessary.