HC Deb 03 May 1939 vol 346 cc1903-4

4.8 p.m.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

I beg to move, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, conveying to His Majesty, on the occasion of his departure for Canada and the United States of America, an assurance of the loyal affection of this House and of the deep interest with which it will follow the progress of His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen during Their absence from this country, I have been unable to find any precedent for the Motion which stands in my name on the Paper and which I now move, but I venture to think it is none the worse on that account. Their Majesties the King and Queen are about to set out on a journey which to our loss will take them from among us for a period of some weeks, but which will give immense pleasure and satisfaction to their subjects in Canada and further cement the ties of Empire. They will be going on to pay a visit to the United States at the invitation of the President—a visit which, I believe, will be the first of the kind by a reigning Sovereign of this country. The relations between ourselves and the people of the United States have long been of a special character on account of our common language, our common ideals and our common traditions, and we may be sure that the visit of Their Majesties to that country will be warmly welcomed in that great Republic across the Atlantic. I feel confident that hon. Members in all parts of the House will desire to wish Their Majesties God-speed upon their journey.

4.10 p.m.

Mr. Attlee

I desire, on behalf of Members of my party, to support the Motion moved by the Prime Minister. We shall all hope that this voyage will be happy and successful, and that it will increase the close ties which bind this country to the people of Canada and to the people of the United States. In these days anything that can be done should be done to unite the great Democracy of the West to the sentiments of the people of this country and the other peoples of the British Commonwealth.

4.11 p.m.

Sir Archibald Sinclair

On behalf of my hon. Friends and myself I wish to be associated with the Motion so gracefully and happily moved and seconded by the Prime Minister and by the Leader of the Opposition. In going to Canada the King will be going among his own people, and his visit will emphasise and strengthen those feelings, which are shared by all His Majesty's subjects wherever they live, of loyalty to his person, of pride in our common heritage and of responsibility for the wise use of the opportunities which it gives us for service to the common interests of humanity. The visit of His Majesty to the United States of America will be a demonstration of the friendship and understanding which happily prevail between the people of our two countries. In opening the New York World Fair a few days ago, President Roosevelt said that the Americans had hitched their waggon to a star, the star of good will, progress and peace. It is a striking proof of the sincerity with which the British public share those ideals which the President thus eloquently expressed that at a time when our minds are so gravely preoccupied with dangers nearer home, the King and Queen should be leaving these shores on an embassy of good will and understanding to the people of the West, for it is the ideal, the most cherished ideal, of the British people to build up a peaceful and progressive civilisation founded on the principles of justice and freedom. It is right, therefore, that we should to-day express our loyal affection to the King and wish God-speed to His Majesty and to Her Majesty the Queen at the outset of their journey.

4.14 p.m.

Mr. Gallacher

I do not wish to say anything to cause offence, nor have I any desire to offer any opposition to this Motion. I only want to ask the Prime Minister and those who support him, when they are wishing God-speed to this trip to America, to consider at the same time the trip that the old age pensioners have to make to the public assistance committee and think about doing something to relieve them of the heavy burden they bear.

Question put, and agreed to nemine contradicente.

Address to be presented by Privy Councillors or Members of His Majesty's Household.