§ 10. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Secretary of State for War how many seats will be available to the public for the ceremony of Trooping the Colour; whether he will give an estimate of the unsatisfied demand for these tickets; and what plans are being considered to increase the accommodation erected for this annual occasion.
§ Mr. HeadAbout 1,000 places are available to the general public. Applications are at present about double this number, but it is often possible to give tickets for the Final Rehearsal to many of those whose applications cannot be met. An additional stand, added last year, will again be put up this year. To put up more stands is impracticable if the ceremony is to be held on the Horse Guards Parade. To hold it elsewhere would destroy the whole character and setting of the ceremony.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayMay I ask my right hon. Friend not to be content with this present state of affairs in which so many are disappointed but to look at the matter again and to invite some of the many contractors who are putting up stands throughout London at the moment to put forward their suggestions, which might be followed in future years?
§ Mr. HeadI think, in general, the principle of these stands is the same. If we put up bigger and higher stands they stretch further into the parade ground. This has been investigated very carefully. I do not think there is ever a chance of sufficient stands to accommodate all those who would like to see the ceremony.