HL Deb 12 May 1953 vol 182 cc389-90
VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can state that the stands in the vicinity of Westminster Abbey and Westminster Hall will be dismantled as rapidly as possible when the Coronation is over, in order that overseas and other visitors to London may be enabled to obtain an uninterrupted view—across Parliament Square and from other angles—of these ancient and venerable buildings.]

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, on certain sections of the route followed by the Coronation processions it will be possible to proceed with dismantling the stands immediately after Coronation Day. Some of the stands will, however, be retained in the East Carriage Drive for use in connection with the Servicemen's Review of July 5. On other sections of the route, and particularly in the Mall and Parliament Square, I anticipate that large numbers of people will wish to see the decorations, and many will visit London for that purpose. Subject, therefore, to weather conditions my right honourable friend the Minister of Works intends to leave the decorations in position for a period after Coronation Day and to begin their removal not later than Monday, June 22. In many cases the dismantling of the stands will involve the removal of the decorations, and where this is the case the stands will remain in position until the decorations are removed.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for his reply, I should like to ask whether the Government will bear in mind that if many of the Commonwealth and American visitors who are over here—some for the first and last time—could see these buildings in all their grandeur, it might have a stimulating effect on the donations to the Westminster Abbey Appeal Fund, which I understand is not making the progress we should all desire.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, I would not disagree with the noble Viscount, but I feel, also, that the Commonwealth and American people who may come to this country for the Coronation will be stimulated to see the decorations for a unique event.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

But they will want to see the Abbey.