§ 64. Mr. Muffasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his Department was responsible for the preparation of Westminster Abbey for the Coronation; was the cost defrayed out of national funds; whether his Department is responsible for placing the Abbey into its former state; whether the cost of this work will be met out of public funds; and when will Westminster Abbey be able to be used for public worship?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. R. S. Hudson) (for the First Commissioner of "Works)The answers to the first four parts of the question are in the affirmative. My Noble Friend hopes that the Abbey will again be available for public worship early in September.
§ Mr. MuffSeeing that these alterations were a public charge, can the Minister justify the charge of 10s. and 5s. to visitors? Further, can the hon. Gentleman say whether this huge sum is going to the Dean and Chapter and into their own private kitty?
§ Mr. HudsonI think a proportion of the proceeds go into the public Exchequer.