HC Deb 06 April 1937 vol 322 cc19-20
32. Mr. Viant

asked the hon. Member for Ipswich, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he and his committee, when fixing the price of 3s. 6d. for breakfast and 10s. 6d. for lunch on Coronation day, had overlooked the means of the ordinary Member whose salary of £400 does not permit him to meet such a charge; and will he ask his committee to reconsider the subject with a view to offering alternative meals at a moderate charge?

Sir John Ganzoni

Representatives of all parties were present when the committee fixed the prices for breakfast and luncheons on Coronation day. After giving due consideration to the increased cost, purchase and hire of equipment and the large amount of extra wages to be paid, it was decided that 3s. 6d. and 10s. 6d. were the lowest that could possibly be charged, and even then the committee are faced with the possibility of a loss. The hon. Member's attention is directed to the notices which state that light refreshments will be obtainable in the Terrace Smoking Room.

Mr. Thorne

Will the hon. Member consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to a grant?

Sir William Davison

Can the hon. Member say what facilities there will be for leaving the Abbey in order to partake of the meals?

50. Commander Bower

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, having regard to the fact that at the two last Coronations the holders of titles of nobility recognised by the Crown in Malta were specially represented by two of their number, he will state why the nobles will not be so represented on this occasion?

Commander Southby (Lord of the Treasury)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies has been asked to take this question. The position is that, with one special exception, namely Ceylon, the number of representatives attending the Coronation from each Colony has been fixed at not more than two. It was felt that, as in the case of all other Colonial dependencies the two representatives from Malta should represent the general community rather than any particular section. I may add that both the representatives selected are actually holders of Maltese titles of nobility recognised by the Crown.

52. Major Stourton

asked the Lord President of the Council the number of seats being reserved for the British Legion, Old Comrades Associations, and similar bodies in the Mall and Constitution Hill to view the Coronation procession; the number of ex-service men who are to be provided with standing room at Hyde Park Corner; the special arrangements to be made for holders of the Victoria Cross; and if the allocations made will be sufficient to allow for representatives of ex-service men's organisations throughout the country to be present?

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

With regard to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I must refer him to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox) on 10th March last. As regards the arrangements for holders of the Victoria Cross, all those who desire to do so have been enabled to purchase seats on the Government stands and the remainder who wish to be present will be accommodated on chairs in Constitution Hill without charge. The answer to the last part of the question in the affirmative.