Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 24 Mai 1937.
Sir William Davison
, Kensington South
This Amendment, as I understand it, suggests that we should decide that the Civil List shall remain in force only for one year, and that during that year an inquiry shall be held with a view to seeing whether the panoply and ceremonial of the Court can be simplified. The right hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) pointed out that to secure simplification, and in the interests of the Throne itself, it was very desirable that the Monarch should be able to do what an ordinary Member of Parliament does when the House rises, and what he himself told us that he did, and that is to throw off his black coat when the day's work is over. I personally think it is a very desirable thing that people should wear black coats in the House of Commons. Some form of uniform is a very desirable thing, and I am all in favour of it, whether it be for Members of Parliament or—
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