HC Deb 23 January 1976 vol 903 cc1683-4
Mr. Speaker

I have to inform the House that I have received from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs a Concurrent Resolution of both Houses of the United States Congress passed on 23rd October 1975 relating to the loan that is to be made on behalf of Parliament to the Congress of an original copy of Magna Carta to mark the bicentennial celebrations of the United States of America. The Resolution is as follows: Whereas, the historic document known as the Magna Carta of 1215 A.D. represents an essential link in the long chain of constitutional instruments; and Whereas American Colonists brought with them from England the traditions of free government and the principle that all persons stand as equals before the law, concepts which had been embodied in the Magna Carta, and they regarded them as their birthright and incorporated them in their colonial charters and constitutions; and Whereas, in drafting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of the United States, our Founding Fathers sought to guarantee to the people of these United States the freedom of the church, an independent judiciary, the right to a speedy trial, and the concept of due process of law, which principles were clearly derived from the Magna Carta; and Whereas, in recognition of the Bicentennial celebrations of the United States of America, the House of Lords and the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have unanimously adopted motions respectfully pray- ing that Her Majesty, The Queen, direct that an original copy of the Magna Carta be loaned to the people of the United States, to be held by their representative, the Congress of the United States, for a period of one year; and Whereas, this loan has been authorized by Her Majesty, The Queen, in order that this historic document may be displayed in the Capitol, enclosed in a show-case donated by the United Kingdom for that purpose; Therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress of the United States recognizes that it is natural that men should value the original documents which guarantee their rights, and thus hereby expresses its sincere gratitude to Her Majesty, The Queen, the Parliament and the people of the United Kingdom for their loan to this Nation of the Magna Carta, a document of historic and symbolic significance to the people of both our Nations, and believes that its temporary residence here in the country of its philosophical descendants, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, will contribute an important historical perspective to the Bicentennial celebration; and be it further Resolved, That the showcase donated to the United States by the United Kingdom to be used to display the Magna Carta may be placed in the rotunda of the United States Capitol, and the Architect of the Capitol is hereby authorized to make the necessary arrangements therefor, including the payment of all necessary expenses incurred in connection with the installation, maintenance, and protection thereof; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of State is requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The document is signed by Pat Jennings, Clerk of the House of Representatives, and Francis Valeo, Secretary of the Senate.

I intend that the Resolution should be placed in the Library. Its text will be entered in the Journal of the House.

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