HC Deb 11 March 1937 vol 321 cc1311-4
7. Mr. Kirby

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will reconsider the matter of additional allowances to the unemployed during Coronation week with a view to making an additional grant to the wives of recipients, also increasing the proposed additional grant from 2s. 6d. to 5s. in the case of all adults?

Mr. E. Brown

No, Sir. I regret that I cannot reconsider the decision already announced.

Mr. Kirby

Will the right hon. Gentleman take this matter back and think twice before he decides finally that he cannot do anything?

Mr. Brown

This question was considered seriously at the time of the Jubilee, and again now, and I cannot add to my answer.

26. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the arrangements for closing certain streets to vehicular traffic during the flood-lighting in connection with the Coronation festivities will prevent Members of this House from having freedom of access to the House by motor car during those hours when the House will be sitting?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir John Simon)

The Commissioner of Police informs me that the necessary arrangements will be made for Members of Parliament to have access by motor car to the House whilst it is sitting.

48. Lieut.-Colonel Moore

asked the Lord President of the Council whether it is proposed to allot seats on the Coronation route to representatives of the great London Scottish charitable societies whose unpaid work is of great value to the State?

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

No specific provision for charitable organisations as such has been made in the allocation of seats; but persons belonging to such organisations are no doubt in many cases eligible for inclusion in other groups.

Lieut.-Colonel Moore

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the representatives of such societies merit rather more consideration than those already announced in the Press as likely to receive consideration?

Mr. MacDonald

I have not seen what has been announced in the Press, but when we went into the practical problem of allocation, we found that it was quite impossible to deal with separate societies, and therefore we strove to discover larger organisations and to allot them a larger number of seats on the understanding that they should consider their weaker brethren.

66. Mr. Day

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether persons letting seats or space for the purpose of viewing the Coronation procession will be permitted to supply a bond to the Inland Revenue authorities to cover the amount of Entertainments Duty due on same, or whether they will be compelled to stamp all tickets sold for this purpose in the same manner as places of amusement and exhibitions?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Chamberlain)

As Entertainments Duty is not charged on seats to view the Coronation procession, the question does not arise.

Mr. Day

How does the occupation of rooms for this purpose differ from the occupation of rooms for the purpose of seeing football matches?

Mr. Chamberlain

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down.

71. Mr. Denville

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention to grant an additional sum to Old Age Pensioners during Coronation week; and, in the event of this being granted, what would it cost the Exchequer?

72. Mr. Mander

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed that the 2s. 6d. Coronation allowance shall be paid to all old age pensioners?

75. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the estimated cost of granting an allowance of 2S. 6d. per adult, and 1s. per child, in commemoration of the Coronation, to recipients of old age, widows', and orphans' pensions, and to those in receipt of public assistance; and whether, in view of the widespread support to this suggestion, he will give favourable consideration to it?

76. Mr. Kirby

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will sympathetically consider the question of granting a special Coronation allowance to the recipients of pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Pensions Act?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)

The cost of granting an allowance of 2s. 6d. per adult and is, per child to recipients of old age, widows' and orphans' pensions on the occasion of the Coronation would be about £450,000. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) On 19th January last, the Government regret that they cannot see their way to promote the legislation which would be necessary to authorise such grants. The making of a grant to persons in receipt of public assistance is a matter for local authorities.

Mr. Denville

My question really refers to old age pensioners and I have in my hand a petition from a large number of—

Hon. Members

Order!

Mr. Denville

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every similar body of persons in this country, on Coronation day, is receiving something, except old age pensioners?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

The hon. Member is not quite correct. There are many people in the community who would be glad to receive further grants on Coronation Day but a line must be drawn somewhere.

Mr. Mender

Have not the old age pensioners just as strong a moral claim as the unemployed; and would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not consider treating them in a similar manner?

Mr. Gallacher

Arising out of the original answer, would the Financial Secretary not consider the question of charging the full market value for Coronation seats and applying the money to this much more deserving purpose?

Mr. Markham

In view of the comparative smallness of the sum involved, could we not ask for a reconsideration of this question?

86. Mr. Hardie

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any contracts in connection with the Coronation have been given to foreign firms through their English branches?

Commander Southby (Lord of the Treasury)

I have been asked to reply. The answer is "No, Sir."

Mr. G. Hardie

Will the hon. and gallant Member convey that answer to the hon. and gallant Member who represents the Forestry Commission, who stated the other day that the bulk of the timber came from English forests?

Commander Southby

I will convey the hon. Member's question to the hon. and gallant Gentleman.