§ 3.49 p.m.
§ Sir John Barlow (Middleton and Prestwich)Mr. Speaker, the House will remember that on1st August, on a Motion by the Leader of the House, leave of absence was given to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. T. Fraser), the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson), my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, West (Mr. Turner) and myself to present on behalf of the House a Speaker's Chair to the House of Representatives of Malaysia.
I have to report that the delegation, which was accompanied by the Fourth Clerk at the Table, has carried out the duty so entrusted to it by the House. The presentation of the Speaker's Chair was made on 2nd November shortly after the opening of the new Parliament building, when your delegation was admitted to the Bar of the House of Representatives of Malaysia and was welcomed by the Speaker. After speeches by the hon. Member for Hamilton and myself, the Chair was unveiled.
The House then, upon the Motion of the Prime Minister and seconded from the Opposition, agreed unanimously to the following Resolution:
That this House accepts with thanks and appreciation the Gift of the Speaker's Chair from the Commons House of Parliament of 483 the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a token of friendship and good will on the part of the British House of Commons and people towards the House of Representatives and people of Malaysia.I hope, Mr. Speaker, that in accordance with the precedent you will give the necessary instructions for this Resolution to appear in the Journal of the House.On behalf of the delegation, I should like to say how greatly we appreciated the warm welcome we received from the Malaysian Government and the splendid hospitality which was subsequently showered upon us. When touring the country we were able to see in a tangible form the rapid development on every side, both agricultural and industrial. We wish the charming people of this developing country peace and great prosperity.
§ Mr. SpeakerIn accordance with what I am sure is the wish of the House, I shall cause the Resolution referred to by the hon. Baronet to be recorded in the Journal.