HC Deb 18 November 1947 vol 444 c986
Mr. Speaker

I have a short statement to make to the House.

I wish to inform the House that I have received a cordial invitation from Monsieur Herriot, the President of the French National Assembly, to pay him a return visit to Paris from 26th to 30th November. I hope that right hon. and hon. Members will agree that I should accept this invitation—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—which, I feel is meant as a compliment to the House of Commons, and will, therefore, give me the necessary leave of absence. I should add that M. Herriot specially invited my wife to accompany me, and such officers of the House as can be spared, and accordingly I propose that the following should go with me: The Serjeant at Arms, the Speaker's Secretary and the Librarian.

Mr. Benson

I beg to give notice that tomorrow I will move the following Motion: That upon the occasion of his forthcoming visit to France Mr. Speaker do present as a gift from this House to the Library of the University of Caen, the 231 volumes of La Collection des documents inedits sur l'histoire de France, now in the Library of the House of Commons.