The Week in Parliament Our Parliamentary Correspondent writes : Monday's
debate provided further evidence of the happy accord which now prevails between the two front benches. Colonel Colville, representing the Treasury, was asking for £152,000 to defray the cost of a temporary. annexe to Westminster Abbey, and of those wooden stands which now deface Parlia- ment Square and its approaches. Mr. Lees-Smith, as a member of the Coronation Committee, explained that a compromise had been reached between the believers in free seats and those who wished to exact a full economic price. It seems that the fortunate nominees of the selected organisa- tions will pay 15s. for seats which cost 30s. to provide. A small handful of malcontents raised their voices in protest. Mr. Gallacher could not let the occasion pass without a few words of general invective, but added the not unreasonable suggestion that persons letting seats or windows privately should pay entertainment tax or some equivalent charge on their profits. Mr. Hardie, whose speeches, though full of interest, are seldom relevant, was in favour of transferring the Coronation to some amphitheatre in the open air, prefer- ably in Scotland. Such an arrangement would provide an excellent occasion for returning the Stone of Destiny to its rightful owners. Mr. Batey wanted " a guarantee that the Coronation will actually take place."
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