HC Deb 10 March 1937 vol 321 cc1171-2W
Mr. Maxton

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total estimated expense to be borne out of public funds in conveying the Members of the House of Lords to the naval review at Spithead on 20th May, in providing them with free meals, and in entertaining them at the illumination of the Fleet?

Lord Stanley

I regret that it will not be possible to answer the hon. Member's question until the number of acceptances is known.

Sir A. Knox

asked the Lord President of the Council to which of the 17 groups to which it has been decided to allot seats to view the Coronation procession the cooperative societies belong; and how many seats they have been allotted?

Mr. R. MacDonald

The Co-operative Movement is included among the organisations in Group 12. As regards the second part of the question, long and detailed consideration was given to the allocation of these seats by the Coronation Committee of the Privy Council, which includes members of all parties and Privy Councillors of great authority and experience. I hope that my hon. and gallant Friend will agree that the House may repose confidence in the decisions of such a committee. No useful purpose can be served by making allocations the subject of public discussion. The committee, to which the task of drawing up preliminary proposals was entrusted, saw at once that they could not do more than suggest allocations which would give effect as far as possible to the idea of having the main national interests represented on the Government stands. I feel, therefore, that it would not be in the general interest to publish the specific figures awarded to each organisation within the categories referred to in the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on Monday last.