HC Deb 11 November 1941 vol 374 cc2127-30
Mr. Speaker

(standing in the Clerk's place at the Table): I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission under the Great Seal was read. The LORD CHANCELLOR, being one of the Lords Commissioners, delivered His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of His Majesty's Command, as followeth:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.

My Peoples have entered upon the third year of war with heightened vigour and resolution. I have seen the courage and fortitude with which they have endured savage attacks from the air, and I have watched with admiration the selfless devotion of the Civil Defence Forces.

During the past year My Forces, by sea, land and air, have continued, with the powerful support of the Armed Forces of My Allies, to defend the cause of freedom throughout the world. The enemy has added to the number of countries temporarily over-run, but the epic struggle of Greece and Yugoslavia, worthy of their glorious history, has inspired the civilised world.

I heartily welcome as an Ally the great Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. On the 12th July My Government and the Government of the Soviet Union agreed to aid each other in the war against Germany and to conclude no separate armistice or treaty of peace. The heroic resistance of the armies of the Soviet Union has won My deepest admiration. A Conference on aid to Russia between representatives of My Government and of the Governments of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has been held in Moscow with eminently satisfactory results, and, in co-operation with the United States of America, My Empire is affording the Soviet Union all possible assistance against the common foe.

The life-time of this Parliament has been memorable for the strengthening of the already close ties between My Governments and Peoples and the Government and People of the United States of America. A striking illustration of this growing intimacy was afforded by the meeting at sea between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of My Government in the United Kingdom. On the seas and the oceans, commanded by our two Navies in closest fraternity, a Charter was agreed upon and published to the world, which will stand as a beacon in history radiating resolution, justice and unselfish purpose.

My Navy has continued to attack the enemy wherever it has been able to find him. Aided by its Auxiliaries and the Fishing Fleet, it has maintained unceasing vigil and has kept open the seaways on which My gallant Merchant Navy, and the Merchant Fleets of My Allies, have brought an increasing flow of food-stuffs and munitions.

The position of My Forces in the Middle East has been greatly strengthened. The brilliant campaigns in East Africa, where the enemy, despite great numerical superiority, was evicted from the mountain fastnesses of Eritrea and Ethiopia and either destroyed or captured, prove the skill of My Commanders and the endurance of My Forces from many parts of the Empire. These operations, which augur well for the future, were rendered possible by the annihilation last winter of the hostile army which sought to invade Egypt from Cyrenaica.

My Air Force has carried the war into the enemy's territory and has attacked with growing power his industries, communications, naval bases and shipping. By the boldness of its assaults, it has compelled the enemy to keep large air formations in the West.

Developments in the Far East have engaged the close and constant attention of My Government, and it has been necessary to increase the Forces which defend My territories in those regions.

It has been a source of great gratification to Me that My Prime Ministers of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand have found it possible to visit this country and confer with My Ministers in the United Kingdom. Valuable discussions have been held in Egypt with My Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. These personal exchanges are of the utmost value to My Ministers in the prosecution of the war.

Members of the House of Commons.

I thank you for the increased provision you have made towards the cost of the war. The unprecedented measures you have taken have been whole-heartedly supported by My People, who have willingly borne the heavy additional taxation imposed upon them and have also freely responded to the call for loans.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.

The War Damage Act for damage to property caused by enemy action has afforded immediate relief to many of My People, and the compensation which it provides has further strengthened the war economy of the country.

Under Providence, and thanks to the unexampled efforts of the seafaring and farming communities, the food supplies of My People are assured.

And I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you.

Then a Commission for Proroguing the Parliament was read in the House of Lords.

After which the LORD CHANCELLOR said:

"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name and in obedience to His Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday, the twelfth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and forty-one, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued until Wednesday, the twelfth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and forty-one."

Mr. Speaker

It has been customary in this House for many years after the Prorogation of Parliament for Members of this House to come and shake hands with the Speaker on bidding him farewell. On this occasion, the time between our Prorogation and our re-assembly is so short that it seems to me the convenience of Members will be best served if, on this occasion, I bid you farewell from this place, and hope soon to meet again.

End of the Sixth Session (opened list November, 1940) of the Thirty-Seventh Parliament of the United, Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Sixth.