§ 11. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the threats to remove the Coronation Stone from Westminster Abbey, what steps were taken by the Metropolitan Police to protect it; and whether he has any further information as to its present location.
§ Mr. EdeI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, apart from one occasion in 1949 when police protection was provided inside the Abbey for a few 282 days, there have been no occasions upon which the police have had reason to suspect that any serious attempt, calling for special police protective measures, might be made to remove or damage the Coronation Stone. The theft of the Stone is still the subject of police inquiry and I regret there is no information which I can give the House about its present whereabouts.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman at any rate able to indicate in which part of the United Kingdom investigation is being most closely pressed?
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir. I think it would be very unwise for me to indicate the steps that are being taken to trace this piece of masonry.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that he has legal title deeds to this Stone? Is he not aware that it is regarded as property stolen from Scotland; does he take the view that it will be impossible to hold another Coronation without it; and is there not a good case for leaving well alone?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that, will he treat with the utmost suspicion representations made by the Welsh on this Scottish problem?
§ Mr. EdeThe only consolation I have is that the Welsh have shown no signs of trying to retrieve the Harp. In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ayrshire, South (Mr. Emrys Hughes), I am not aware that the persons who say that they have the Stone have any title deeds to it either, and I am not at all sure, after the claims made by the more enthusiastic Scotsmen, that the Stone does not belong to one of the Middle Eastern States.