§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT SIMON) >My Lords, I have to report to your Lordships that since the House last sat my noble friend the Foreign Secretary called my attention to news which had just reached this country that Prince Tokugawa, the former President of the House of Peers in Japan, had died, and it was felt that it would be suitable to send a message of condolence from this House to the House of Peers at Tokyo. Prince Tokugawa was, of course, a most distinguished figure and I thought it right to send the following message to the President of the Japanese House of Peers:
"The House of Lords have learnt with deep regret of the death of Prince Tokugawa, who for so long presided over the deliberations of the House of Peers. I desire to extend on behalf of the House of Lords heartfelt sympathy at this irreparable loss to Japan.—Simon, Lord Chancellor."
I trust that your Lordships will concur in the course which I have ventured to take on behalf of your Lordships' House.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I do not know if there is anything before the House, but I should like to take the opportunity of reminding your Lordships and the Lord Chancellor that the deceased Japanese statesman visited London a few years ago for the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the triennial meeting of 509 which was held in London. A predecessor of the Lord Chancellor, Lord Sankey, represented the House of Lords at the proceedings and he and the deceased statesman received the guests at the great reception that was held. Prince Tokugawa then showed his great interest in the working of our Parliamentary system.