§ 18. Mr. BERNAYSasked the First Commissioner of Works whether any of the stands in the Mall will be retained until the 3rd June so that they may be available for spectators when His Majesty proceeds to the Horse Guards Parade for the trooping of the colour?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I have given very careful consideration to this suggestion, but it has not proved possible to adopt it as regards all the stands. The stands were primarily erected to enable Members of both Houses of Parliament, of the Defence Forces, and of the Civil Service, and certain visitors from the Dominions, India and the Colonies to view the State Drive to St. Paul's Cathedral on 6th May. The seats were sold at a price no more than sufficient to cover the actual cost of erec- 8 tion. The materials of which the stands are composed are either hired by the con tractors or otherwise earmarked in connection with their other work, and the retention of the stands beyond the original contract period would entail considerable expenditure to meet the claims made against the contractor for non delivery of the materials. To maintain the stands until 3rd June would in addition involve further expenditure in re conditioning. In these circumstances it is not possible to retain the stands as they are. But I am glad to say that the contractors have very generously agreed to the retention without any payment at all of one stand which will be handed over to the General Officer Commanding London District for the use of relatives of the troops on parade on 3rd June, and of the Old Comrades Association. In addition I have been able to arrange satisfactory terms for the reservation of two more stands, the seats on which will be made available on payment to visitors from the Dominions, India and the Colonies on application to the High Com missioners or Ceremonial Secretary, Colonial Office, and to Members of both Houses of Parliament. As regards the latter applications should be made forth with to the Lord Chancellor's and Mr. Speaker's secretaries. Two tickets will be available for each Member and the price will be 3s. 6d. per ticket.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSWill the right hon. Gentleman consider re moving one of the stands towards the Horse Guards Parade so that an extra stand may be placed there to be used for the trooping of the colour?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI gather that all the stands in the Mall are to be removed except three, which are on the South side of the Mall and West of the Artillery Memorial.