CAB129-45 — Page 337

2.

Page 337 (2) TO RETURN THE STONE TO SCOTLAND FOR CUSTODY BETWEEN CORONATIONS

...

While I recognise the force of the considerations set out in the foregoing para- graphs in favour of leaving the Stone in Westminster Abbey, I feel bound to stress that there is a strong feeling in Scotland, among moderate opinion as well as among those who are vocal in support of some form of home rule, which favours the transfer of the Stone to custody in Scotland on the clear understanding that it will continue to be made available for future Coronations and to be used at these ceremonies in the same way as it has been in the past. Those who support the claim for the return of the Stone to Scotland point out that it came originally from Scone; that at the time of its removal it had acquired a special significance in relation to the crowning of Scottish Kings; that at the time of the Treaty of Northampton in 1328 it was certainly intended that it should be restored to Scotland; and that in recent years Scottish historical records, which were removed to England by Edward I at the same time as the Coronation Stone, have been returned in accordance with legislation passed by the United Kingdom Parliament.

My own feeling is that Scotland would respond to a decision by The King to restore the Stone to Scottish custody. If such a decision were taken I suggest that the proper place for the accommodation of the Stone is St. Margaret's Chapel in the Castle of Edinburgh. This is probably the oldest ecclesiastical building in Scotland and is in the heart of a Castle which is generally regarded as Scottish rather than local and which has acquired a national significance of a special kind since the opening of the Scottish National War Memorial there after the 1914–18. War. The Castle already houses the Scottish Regalia; and the Coronation Stone could, like the Regalia, be made the responsibility of the Great Officers of State. It would therefore be housed in a consecrated building, in Crown property and under the custody of Scottish officers; and there could be no criticism, as there might be if it were sent elsewhere, that it was being placed in local or denomina- tional hands.

It has been suggested that, if the transfer is to be made, it should take place during the period in June of this year when The King is resident in Edinburgh. I find this suggestion attractive. My idea would be that the Stone should be trans- ferred from Westminster Abbey to St. Margaret's Chapel with the minimum of ceremony or, perhaps, without any ceremony at all; that an announcement of the transfer should be made after it is completed; and that it should be suggested to His Majesty that he should then visit the Stone in its new home where he would be received by the Great Officers and where perhaps some very simple ceremony might be held.

(3) TO ARRANGE FOR THE CORONATION STONE TO BE DISPLAYED IN THE VARIOUS COMMONWEALTH CAPITALS

A third suggestion, which also has its attractions, is that in view of the wide- spread interest which has been excited by the recent removal and recovery of the Stone, the opportunity should be taken of displaying it in the various parts of the Commonwealth as a symbol of the common Crown. If such an arrangement were to be made the Stone might first be displayed in Edinburgh-for such a temporary display I should see less objection to the choice of St. Giles Cathedral which has advantages of size and accessibility-and thereafter in Wales, Northern Ireland and the other Commonwealth countries. By the time such a tour had been completed popular interest in the Stone might have receded to a point at which its return to Westminster Abbey would be practicable; if not, a decision as to its permanent resting place could at least be taken in an atmosphere less influenced by the events of recent months than the atmosphere in which the matter has to be considered at present.

My own preference is for the second of the three possibilities outlined above. The return of the Stone to Scotland would, I am sure, be regarded by moderate opinion in Scotland as a generous gesture and I think that once it had been made, interest in the matter would quickly die down. If the Stone remains in the Abbey we must expect a continuing agitation not only by the nationalist movement but by the Church of Scotland-which is being very vocal in the matter and from other quarters.

The third alternative has the merit of a half-way house; but I think it merely postpones rather than avoids a difficult decision.

H. McN.

Pageofish offfic7 S.W. 1,

Page 337

26th April, 1951.

3

266