BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 19164, 3 February 1926, Page 9

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

PRELIMINARIES TO OPENING SIR ALFRED MOND’S INTRODUCTION. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 2. King George and Queen Mary, in deep mourning, have arrived at Buckingham Palace from Sandringham for to-day’s opening of Parliament, which, owing to Queen Alexandra’s death, will bo a sombre ceremony. It is uncertain if the Prince of Wales will bo present, owing to the difficulty of donning a uniform after his injury. According to custom, the whole of the Cabinet last night heard the King’s Speech secretly. The official receptions followed. The most notable was that at Londonderry House, where, strangely enough, the ex-Libcral lender Sir Alfred Mond was the unofficial guest of the evening. All the political representatives were anxious to see him, and there was some whispering “ There he is.” Sir Alfred Mond, smiling, with a red carnation in Ids buttonhole, held an informal reception, knowing nearly everyone. He might have been a Conservative all his life. The ‘ Daily Express says that the hand struck up ‘ I Want to be Happy ’ as Sir Alfred Mond approached.—A. and N.Z. Cable.