HC Deb 18 December 1952 vol 509 cc266-7W
147. Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Works to consult with the various Ministers concerned who have offices on the Coronation line of route to ensure that part of the viewing facilities should be made available to disabled ex-Service men and women of the fighting services, Civil Defence forces and, where practicable, to the children of those who lost their lives whilst serving in the last war.

Mr. Eccles

The arrangements to be made for the use of windows of Government office buildings on the route are still being considered. As already announced in reply to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Langford-Holt) on 28th October, I hope to make special arrangements for disabled ex-Service men in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions. I hope to arrange seats, park chairs or reserved standing accommodation for representatives of all the classes mentioned by the hon. Member.

Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ensure that part of the viewing facilities in his Department's offices on the Coronation line of route are reserved for disabled personnel of the Civil Defence, police and ambulance service and children who lost their fathers in these services during the last war to enable them to view the Coronation procession.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I understand that an allocation of seats will be made available on Government stands on the pro- cessional route to representatives of the Services which the hon. Member mentions and that special arrangements are being made for orphans along the route.

Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture to ensure that part of the viewing facilities in his Department's offices on the Coronation line of route are reserved for agricultural workers to enable them to witness the Coronation procession.

Sir T. Dugdale

The accommodation in my Department's offices on the route is extremely limited and is insufficient for this purpose. A substantial number of seats will however be available for trade union representatives on Government stands and this will cover agricultural workers.

Mr. Lewis

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will ensure that part of the viewing facilities in his Department's offices on the Coronation line of route are reserved for a representative body of disabled ex-Service men from the various defence forces and the children of those who lost their lives whilst serving in the last war.

Mr. Birch

As the Ministry of Defence has virtually no window space overlooking the Coronation route, I am afraid that it would not be able to assist in the way the hon. Member suggests.

Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will ensure that part of the viewing facilities at his Department's office on the Coronation line of route are reserved for representatives of those workers who have been responsible for the progress in the housing drive.

Mr. H. Macmillan

A substantial number of seats will be available for Trade Union representatives on Government stands and I am glad to say that this will cover representatives of the building workers.

Forward to