HC Deb 23 November 2000 vol 357 cc294-5W
Mr. Levitt

To ask the Prime Minister what plans are being made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen's Accession to the Throne; and if he will make a statement. [140120]

The Prime Minister

I believe that not only this House, but also the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, will join me in looking forward to Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee as a joyous occasion and a very special milestone. It will be a time both for looking back at the central part which the Queen has played in the affairs of this country and the Commonwealth over the preceding 50 years, and for looking forward to the continuation of Her Majesty's unique contribution for many years to come.

Her Majesty The Queen has approved my recommendation that the 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne should be celebrated during the summer of 2002.

A Ministerial Committee, under the chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, was set up last year to help co-ordinate arrangements with Buckingham Palace. I have made the following recommendations which Her Majesty has approved and which have the support of the Leaders of the Devolved Administrations and of Opposition Parties.

The Queen will attend a National Service of Thanksgiving in St. Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday 4 June 2002. That day will be a Bank Holiday in place of the Spring Bank Holiday, which would otherwise fall on 27 May in 2002. The day before, Monday 3 June, will be an additional Bank Holiday for the Golden Jubilee.

The Queen hopes to travel within the United Kingdom as widely as possible during the summer months of May to July, and especially the weeks running up to and following the Bank Holiday weekend. She has agreed to visit the armed forces on 27 June and to open the Commonwealth Games in Manchester on 25 July and to close them on 4 August. She will undertake a Commonwealth visit in the autumn. The Queen has also agreed to a grant of certain civic honours—city status and Lord Mayoralty—to mark Her Jubilee. Other elements of the programme will be announced in due course. It is Her Majesty's express wish that there should be no undue expenditure from public funds on the programme of celebrations.

The Queen has said that she sees her Golden Jubilee as an opportunity to express her thanks for the support and loyalty she has enjoyed during her reign. She hopes that events surrounding the Jubilee will create numerous opportunities for voluntary and community service and that as many people as possible will have the opportunity to enjoy the celebrations to mark this happy occasion.