UGANDA (GIFT OF A MACE) (Hansard, 10 June 1964)

§ Mr. Renton

Mr. Speaker, the House resolved before Whitsun that a delegation should visit Uganda to present a Mace to the National Assembly. The delegation consisted of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn), my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Mr. Maddan), and the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. O'Malley) and myself. We were accompanied by Mr. Mackenzie, the Principal Clerk of Public Bills.

I have to report to the House that we discharged that most agreeable duty on 26th May, when your delegation was invited within the Bar of the National Assembly at the start of that day's business.

After the Speaker had warmly welcomed us, speeches were made by me and by the right hon. Member for East Stirlingshire, which were greeted with friendly exuberance. I then presented the Mace on behalf of this House and it was placed on the Table of the National Assembly. On the Motion of the Prime Minister of Uganda, seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, it was then unanimously resolved that this House accepts with thanks the generous gift of a Mace from the United Kingdom House of Commons to mark Uganda's attainment of Independence in October, 1962, to serve as a visible symbol of the ties between this Legislature and the British Parliament at Westminster and to be a constant reminder of the high ideals of Parliamentary Government and the democratic principles for which this Assembly stands. I trust, Mr. Speaker, that in accordance with precedent you will require this Resolution to be recorded in the Journal.

Your delegation received a most friendly welcome from the President, Parliamentarians and people of Uganda, 451 and their Government gave us most generous and delightful hospitality during our five days in that lovely country, which included a visit to Murchison National Park, past which flow the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile, where we saw a wonderful array of wild life in its natural splendour.

I am sure that the House will join members of the delegation in wishing happiness and prosperity to the people of Uganda. May their Mace and ours remain in use for ever as symbols of Parliamentary democracy.