Lords Sitting of 11 November 1941

Preamble
The House met, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Lord Rennell—Sat first in Parliament after the death of his father.
Lord Terrington—Sat first in Parliament after the death of his brother.

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE VISCOUNT D'ABERNON.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD MOYNE): My Lords, since the House separated we have had to record the death of Lord D'Abernon. He was a man of very striking personality, as distinguished in his appearance as he was in his abilities. A diplomat, administrator, banker, economist, sportsman, great art connoisseur, linguist, probably the very variety of his gifts prevented the achievements in early life which would have come sooner to a man of narrower compass. It was, therefore, only in his sixty-fourth year that he was appointed as our Ambassador in Berlin. There he was largely responsible for the wise measures which re-established German solvency, and he played a very leading part in that phase of international history which ended with Locarno and the readmission of Germany to the League of Nations. He had long been absent from our debates, owing to crippling infirmities in recent years borne with unflinching courage, but many of us, I am sure, to-day remember the charm of his friendship and conversation and will wish to express our deep sympathy with the gracious lady who shared his life.
LORD ADDISON: My Lords, I would like on behalf of my noble friends to associate myself with what the Leader of the House has said with regard to Lord D'Abernon. It was my privilege in the course of the last war to be associated with him in one of his many spheres of action, somewhat different from those enumerated by the Leader of the House. He was responsible, among other things, for the chairmanship of the Liquor Control Board, under the Ministry of Muni-
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tions, and I remember that he acquired all the trade and industry in the neighbourhood of Carlisle, for various reasons which I will not enter into. Everyone of us who met him was impressed, I am sure, with his charm. It was a delight and pleasure to be associated with him, to hear him talk and to listen to his wise counsels on many affairs. I am sure we should all like to associate ourselves with what the noble Lord, the Leader of the House, has said.
THE MARQUESS OF CREWE: My Lords, I would add a word to the tribute which the two noble Lords on the Front Benches have paid to one of the most remarkable men of our time. Looking back as I do for more than sixty years, I recall how Edgar Vincent, as he then was, was remarkable for unlikeness to most of those whose upbringing had been much the same at one of our great public schools and in a famous regiment. That unlikeness did not proceed from any aloofness or affectation of superiority, but simply from the fact that his physical and mental endowments were greater than those of most people. All his life he was conspicuous, as the noble Lord, Lord Moyne, has pointed out, in enjoyment of sports and in skill at games. Quite equally he was conspicuous for his interests in art and his wide knowledge, particularly, of painting. It may seem strange that it was not until, as Lord Moyne has said, he had passed middle life that he became a well-known public figure. During the last war he had filled an important post as controller of a great industry in which he showed marked capacity, and the few occasions in which he took part in the debates in your Lordships' House were connected with the clear statements which he used to make on that subject. His career was not altogether unchequered, but that, I think, was due to the fact that he was never a man who would be content with a merely routine existence. He will be remembered by many as a loyal and generous friend whose loss is lamented by many.

AGRICULTURE (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILL.
Returned from the Commons, with the Amendments agreed to.
House adjourned during pleasure.
House resumed.

ROYAL COMMISSION.
The following Bills received the Royal Assent:
Solicitors,
Marriage (Members of His Majesty's Forces),
Prolongation of Parliament,
Local Elections and Register of Electors (Temporary Provisions),
Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions).

PROROGATION: HIS MAJESTY'S SPEECH.
And afterwards His Majesty's most gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord Chancellor (in pursuance of His Majesty's Command) as followeth:
" My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
" My Peoples have entered upon the third year of war with heightened vigour and resolution. I have seen the courage and fortitude with which they have endured savage attacks from the air, and I have watched with admiration the selfless devotion of the Civil Defence Forces.
During the past year My Forces, by sea, land and air, have continued, with the powerful support of the Armed Forces of My Allies, to defend the cause of freedom throughout the world. The enemy has added to the number of countries temporarily over-run, but the epic struggle of Greece and Yugoslavia, worthy of their glorious history, has inspired the civilized world.
I heartily welcome as an Ally the great Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. On the 12th July My Government and the Government of the Soviet Union agreed to aid each other in the war against Germany and to conclude no separate armistice or treaty of peace. The heroic resistance of the Armies of the Soviet Union has won My deepest admiration. A Conference on aid to Russia between representatives of My Government and of the Governments of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has been held in Moscow with eminently satisfactory results, and, in
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co-operation with the United States of America, My Empire is affording the Soviet Union all possible assistance against the common foe.
" The life-time of this Parliament has been memorable for the strengthening of the already close ties between My Governments and Peoples and the Government and People of the United States of America. A striking illustration of this growing intimacy was afforded by the meeting at sea between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of My Government in the United Kingdom. On the seas and the oceans, commanded by our two Navies in closest fraternity, a Charter was agreed upon and published to the world, which will stand as a beacon in history radiating resolution, justice and unselfish purpose.
" My Navy has continued to attack the enemy wherever it has been able to find him. Aided by its Auxiliaries and the Fishing Fleet, it has maintained unceasing vigil and has kept open the seaways on which My gallant Merchant Navy, and the Merchant Fleets of My Allies, have brought an increasing flow of food-stuffs and munitions.
" The position of My Forces in the Middle East has been greatly strengthened. The brilliant campaigns in East Africa, where the enemy, despite great numerical superiority, was evicted from the mountain fastnesses of Eritrea and Ethiopia and either destroyed or captured, prove the skill of My Commanders and the endurance of My Forces from many parts of the Empire. These operations, which augur well for the future, were rendered possible by the annihilation last winter of the hostile Army which sought to invade Egypt from Cyrenaica.
" My Air Force has carried the war into the enemy's territory and has attacked with growing power his industries, communications, naval bases and shipping. By the boldness of its assaults, it has compelled the enemy to keep large air formations in the West.
" Developments in the Far East have engaged the close and constant attention of My Government, and it has been necessary to increase the Forces which defend My territories in those regions.
" It has been a source of great gratification to Me that My Prime Ministers of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand have found it possible to visit this country and confer with My Ministers in the United Kingdom. Valuable discussions have been held in Egypt with My Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. These personal exchanges are of the utmost value to My Ministers in the prosecution of the war.
" Members of the House of Commons,
" I thank you for the increased provision you have made towards the cost of the war. The unprecedented measures you have taken have been whole-heartedly supported by My People, who have willingly borne the heavy additional taxation imposed upon them and have also freely responded to the call for loans.
" My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
" The War Damage Act for damage to property caused by enemy action has afforded immediate relief to many of My People, and the compensation which it provides has further
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strengthened the war economy of the country.
" Under Providence, and thanks to the unexampled efforts of the seafaring and farming communities, the food supplies of My People are assured.
" And I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you."
After which the LORD CHANCELLOR said:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed we do, in His Majesty's name and in obedience to His Commands, prorogue this Parliament to the day in the said Commission mentioned, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to the said day in the said Commission mentioned.
End of the Sixth Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the fifth year of the Reign of His Majesty King George VI.