§ 46. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Works the number of places for the Coronation which will be reserved for and allotted to the Scottish Standing Conference of National Voluntary Youth Organisations; where these places will be situated; and what arrangements are being made for the convenience and comfort of those who will occupy them.
§ The Minister of Works (Mr. David Eccles)The Scottish Standing Conference will have places on a pavement in Parliament Square. Drinking water, lavatory and first-aid facilities will be available.
I do not think it would be in the general interest to publish the number of seats or reserved standing places which have been offered to any organisation.
§ Mr. Hector HughesCan the Minister say on what principle these seats are allotted? Is it on a geographical basis? If so, how many are being allotted to North-East Scotland, where can the tickets be obtained, and how?
§ Mr. EcclesThe sub-allocation of the seats is done by the Standing Conference, and I have every confidence that they have done their work well as between one part of Scotland and another.
§ Mr. Hector HughesWhy cannot the public be given an opportunity of making their arrangements and knowing where 1054 they can get the seats and when they will get them?
§ Mr. EcclesI think the Standing Conference have done their work fairly rapidly. As a matter of fact, I happen to know that they were more than satisfied with the number of seats offered. The details are kept secret because if we published the numbers going to all the different organisations we should dissatisfy more people than we satisfied.