§ Sir R. Gowerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the difficulties which will stand in the way of enabling large numbers of the public to visit the Fleet in the Thames during the Coronation period, he will consider the desirability of stationing some capital ships at Chatham and Sheerness during this period?
§ Sir S. HoareI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have to-day given to the hon. and gallant Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge).
§ Captain Pluggeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the difficulties of providing for large-scale visits by the public to vessels of His Majesty's Navy in the Thames during the Coronation period, he will consider the desirability of stationing some capital ships at Sheerness and Chatham during this period so as to provide alternative means for the public to visit the Fleet?
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§ Sir S. HoareIt has been arranged for the capital ships, during the visit of the Home Fleet to the Thames, to berth off Southend, where considerable facilities will be available for visitors to see them. On account of their draught, it would not be possible for these vessels to berth at Chatham, and at Sheerness the only suitable berths would be no more accessible than those at Southend.
§ Mr. Sandysasked the Lord President of the Council whether any seats at reduced prices to view the Coronation procession are being reserved for societies for the deaf; and, if so, by what method are they being allotted?
§ Mr. R. MacDonaldIt is impossible to make special provision for societies such as those mentioned by my hon. Friend, but it is to be hoped that the groups amongst which the representation is to be allotted may, in selecting their representatives, not fail if possible to remember sympathetically claims such as those referred to in the question.
§ Mr. Loganasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the new form of Coronation oath will now affect Northern Ireland; and, as the Protestant reformed religion is not established there by law, does he intend to bring in legislation to repeal the Church of Ireland Disestablishment Act of 1869?
§ Mr. LloydIf the hon. Member will compare the new form with the oath taken in 1911, he will see that neither in its old nor in its new form is the phrase to which he refers inconsistent with the Act of 1869, which there is no intention of repealing.
§ Mr. R. J. Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider granting increased old age, widows', and dependants' pension allowances during the Coronation festivities to enable the recipients to appreciate practically the festive occasion?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on the 19th January to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison).