ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

HC Deb 03 April 1969 vol 781 cc654-5

Q4. Mr. Brooks

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the ending of the British Empire, he will advise that appropriate changes should be made in the name, Order of the British Empire.

The Prime Minister

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 2nd February, 1967.

Mr. Brooks

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that although the Thistle, the Garter and the Bath are still with us, the British Empire is not, and that it might be a good idea, in view of the offence which this gives to the spirit of the new Commonwealth, to consider performing a ritual sacrifice?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that it is a question of the archaic character of certain names. I would not want to get into an argument with my hon. Friend in the House about the present sartorial standing of the Garter in respect of its common use by both sexes. There is no British Empire, in the sense in which it existed when the Order was created. I have given this matter long consideration and have had some consultations about it. I cannot see any evidence that the title is currently not welcomed among members of the Commonwealth, or in foreign countries, or in this country. I have considered many alternative names and I have not found any which are entirely suitable—and there is always the problem of the initials to be put after recipients' names. If my hon. Friend has a good suggestion I shall be prepared to look at it.

Mr. Tilney

Is it not time that there was a Commonwealth medal, stemming from the Head of the Commonwealth as such, and awarded on the advice of Commonwealth Presidents and Prime Ministers?

The Prime Minister

One difficulty about that is that the Head of the Commonwealth is in two different relationships to various Commonwealth members. To those who remain monarchies she—or the Governor-General, acting in her name—is the fount of honour but in the case of countries with Presidents she is not the fount of honour, and there would be great difficulty in trying to get a single Commonwealth approach. As the hon. Member knows, in countries which remain monarchic in their constitutions there have been decisions by the Parliaments concerned not to accept honours of this kind.