§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (THE EARL OF BIRKENHEAD)Lords, I have to acquaint you that His Majesty has been pleased to create the Right Hon. Sir Douglas McGarel Hogg, Kt. (Lord Chancellor of Great Britain) a Peer of this Realm, by the title of Baron Hailsham of Hailsham, in the County of Sussex.
His Lordship, having retired to robe—Was (in the usual manner) introduced.
§ The LORD CHANCELLOR resumed his seat on the Woolsack.
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADMy Lords, in the regretted absence through temporary indisposition of the Leader of the House, it falls to my lot, conformably with precedent, and agreeably as I am sure to your Lordship's wishes, to say a word of welcome to the Lord Chancellor, who has to-day taken his seat for the first time as Speaker of the House of Lords. His Lordship brings to the discharge of his anxious and exacting duties many striking and well-proved gifts. I cannot doubt that he will reinforce as much the admitted legal prestige of those of your Lordships who deal with legal matters, as he will bring to bear upon our general debates a great and a ripe experience. I am sure that the Lord Chancellor can count, as I can say with full knowledge his predecessors have been able to count, upon the loyal and friendly support which this House throughout the centuries has given to a Lord Chancellor who comes as a stranger among us, to assume functions so various and so important. I venture, my Lord Chancellor, on behalf of their Lordships to bid you welcome to this House.
§ VISCOUNT HALDANEMy Lords, in a sentence I wish to re-echo what has been said. The Peer who holds the post of Speaker of this House, the Peer who is the Lord Chancellor, is always a weighty person by reason of his position, and when he brings character to add to that position he becomes even more weighty. The noble Lord who now occupies the Woolsack is distinguished for individuality and character, and I think he will add much to the weight of his office by the reputation which he brings to it.