§ 2.35 p.m.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, I have deeply distressing news to convey to the House, as many of your Lordships will know: that is, that the noble Earl, Lord Fortescue, died on Saturday last, thus depriving us of a dear friend and a valued colleague. In the short time available I have tried to discover what would be most suitable to the House, and I propose that we should pay tributes to Lord Fortescue to-morrow, at the beginning of Business. I believe that that is agreeable to noble Lords, except that I understand that the noble Viscount the Leader of the Opposition, Lord Alexander of Hillsborough, who has told me that he will be unable to be in the House to-morrow, probably would like to say a personal word to-day.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, with the permission of the House I would just say a personal word on the very sad news that we have had. To me, personally, it is an absolute loss. Negotiating with Lord Fortescue, as we have done through "the usual channels." one could not but be struck by his great personal courtesy and—what will be an especial loss to Her Majesty's Government—his imperturbability in every situation. He and Lady Fortescue were hosts to myself and my wife while I was paying 858 a political visit to the West Country last October, and it seems almost unbelievable that to-day we have to mourn the loss of both these gracious and very great persons. I shall leave it to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to pay a more adequate tribute to-morrow on behalf of all my friends.