HC Deb 03 May 1937 vol 323 cc781-4
44. Major Despencer Robertson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether arrangements can be made for holders of tickets in the Palace Yard uncovered stands to sit in Westminster Hall, if it is wet, during the period of waiting on Coronation day?

Mr. R. S. Hudson

A buffet for the use of the occupants of the stands within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster will be established in Westminster Hall, and tables and chairs will be provided in connection therewith. I am afraid, however that it would not be possible to seat simultaneously in the Hall all those occupying uncovered seats on the stands.

45. Sir P. Harris

asked the Lord President of the Council how many seats have been erected in Westminster Abbey from which no direct view of the Coronation ceremony is obtainable?

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

All seats are placed in a position to afford a view of the procession or the ceremony. Those seats east of the Screen, numbering 4,020, will afford a view of the ceremony in the Coronation Theatre or Sanctuary.

Sir P. Harris

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 50 of the tickets for seats have been returned by the Press on the ground that they give no adequate view of the proceedings?

Mr. MacDonald

That is a totally different question. If the hon. Member has any communication I should be glad to have it. No committee for which I am answering is responsible for the construction of Westminster Abbey.

46. Sir P. Harris

asked the Lord President of the Council how many seats to view the Coronation ceremony and procession have been returned by various organisations to which they were allocated; and whether such seats have been offered to the public at the same price?

Mr. MacDonald

Approximately 2,000 seats in all were not required by the organisations to which they were offered. These seats have now been offered to other similar organisations at the same prices, and have been accepted.

48. Sir P. Harris

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that five Press photographers, including two cinematograph photographers, with all their apparatus, are to be accommodated for three hours during the Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in a wooden construction measuring 12 feet by 4 feet 6 inches, by 4 feet; and whether he is satisfied that this is adequate accommodation?

Mr. Hudson

In view of the prominent position desired by the photographers for themselves and for their apparatus it has been necessary, in order that they may not be so conspicuous as to interfere with the service or with the general appearance of the Abbey, to construct a box for them. Ventilation is provided from both ends and from the roof. It will be occupied for as short a time as possible, as arrangements have been made for the photographers to enter it immediately before the service and to leave immediately afterwards. Having regard to the general limitation of space in the Abbey, it is regretted that the arrangements, whether for photographers or for members of the congregation generally, cannot be more commodious. The photographers themselves are satisfied with the accommodation provided.

67. Mr. W. A. Reid

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the making of an award to old age pensioners of a similar Coronation grant to that which is to be made to the registered unemployed, as so many of these pensioners are in very straitened circumstances?

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

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 11th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Newcastle-on-Tyne (Mr. Denville) and other hon. Members.

47. Mr. Mabane (for Mr. Leckie)

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the disappointment caused to Members who have been allotted seats in uncovered stands for the Coronation ceremony but who had applied for seats in covered stands, he will take steps to have covers put on the stands in question?

Mr. Hudson

I regret that, owing to the presence of the Catalpa trees, it is not possible to cover the great majority of the seats referred to. In the opinion of my Noble Friend the First Commis- sioner of Works it would be indefensible to subject these trees to the severe lopping which would be necessary to enable a roof to be fixed.