§ 50. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of widespread public interest in the matter, he will reconsider his refusal to disclose the advice tendered to the Coronation Commission by Her Majesty's Government on the subject of televising the Coronation ceremony.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) yesterday. I must however draw the hon. and gallant Member's attention to the announcement made yesterday by the Earl Marshal.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the Prime Minister aware that, public opinion having compelled the Cabinet to change its mind, the latest announcement by the Coronation Committee, to which the Prime Minister has referred, is much more in keeping with popular sentiment than the original ban on television for which the Cabinet was solely and entirely responsible?
§ The Prime MinisterOne is always glad to gain applause from any quarter, but I think this is a most ungracious way of treating this grave and important affair. Parliament has expressed its views and opinions in the free and easy way we do at Question time. Great care has been given to every aspect, and if the result is something of which the hon. and gallant Gentleman approves, surely he might have said, "Thank you."
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonI should like to thank the Prime Minister for having changed his mind. That is all I am saying.