HC Deb 01 March 1937 vol 321 cc5-6
8. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communication has been received from the Italian Government with regard to their being represented at His Majesty's Coronation?

10. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Ethiopian representative in London has informed him who will represent Ethiopia at the Coronation ceremonies?

Mr. Eden

It is the intention of His Majesty's Government, at the earliest practicable moment, to publish a complete list of foreign representatives at the Coronation. Perhaps the hon. Members will be good enough to await this.

Mr. Charles Williams

Can my right hon. Friend say why Abyssinia was asked?

Mr. Eden

The invitation was issued in accordance with precedent, which is based entirely on the de jure position. It would be a mistake to attach special political significance to a matter of purely normal procedure.

34. Sir Hugh Seely

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will make representations with a view to securing that the decorations and illuminations on the occasion of the Coronation shall remain during the week ending 22nd May, in view of the large number of persons desiring to visit London and the many arrangements that have been made to enable them to do so during this week?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. R. S. Hudson) (for the First Commissioner of Works)

It is proposed that the street decorations erected by the Office of Works shall remain in place until Thursday, 27th May, unless the weather conditions are such as to render them unsightly prior to that date. For the reasons stated in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Westbury (Mr. Grimston) on the 15th of last month, my Noble Friend regrets that it is not possible to extend the period of flood-lighting beyond that proposed.

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