§ 3.32 p.m.
§ The Prime MinisterI beg to move,
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty to convey to His Majesty the expression of the deep sorrow and indignation with which this House has learned of the assassination of His Majesty King Abdullah of the Jordan; and to pray His Majesty that he will be graciously pleased to express on the part of this House their abhorrence of the crime, and their sympathy with the family of His late Majesty, with the Government and with the people of the Jordan.In view of the eloquent tribute paid to His late Majesty by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, and the statement I made, I think that further words in commending this Motion to the House would be unnecessary.
§ Mr. ChurchillI hope I am in order in seconding the Motion. At any rate I give it my wholehearted support. I agree with the Prime Minister that we cannot easily or lightly add words to those which were spoken yesterday under the promptings and spur of this loss, but it is a very great loss. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Our feelings grow. Not only is it a loss to our country but to millions of people who live in the Middle East, and it is very fitting that the Prime Minister should have moved, and be supported, as I am sure he will be, by the whole House, this Motion recording our grief and our sympathy. I have no doubt that it will carry far and wide throughout the Arab and the Israelite world and to wider regions our feelings of admiration for the great Arab statesman who has gone, and our earnest hope that his memory will be preserved, and his work not found to be in vain.
§ Mr. Clement DaviesI and my colleagues desire to be associated with the very moving words which have been used on both occasions by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition as well as by the Prime Minister. I will content myself by merely saying that I am sure that this Motion will commend itself to every Member of the House, and that we deeply regret and abhor this terrible, cruel crime.
§ Earl WintertonI should like to add a word in two capacities, not only as senior Member of the House but also because in more ways than one I have been associated for many years with the very famous and distinguished family to which King Abdullah belonged. For example, King Feisal was a very dear friend of mine. We were brothers in arms in the fight for Arab freedom.
King Abdullah was a very old friend of mine. I can find no words which it would be necessary to add to the most eloquent tributes which were paid to King Abdullah both by the Prime Minister and by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition. I should like to associate myself with everything they said, but I would add one more thing which I think is appropriate, coming from a great friend of his, as I claim to have been, who belongs to another religion—that he was a true son of Islam. I know that there is no tribute which can be paid to him by any of his friends that he would have appreciated more.
§ Question put, and agreed to nemine contradicente.
§ Address to be presented by Privy Councillors or Members of His Majesty's Household.