PRINCESS ELIZABETH'S AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S ANNUITIES FUND. (Hansard, 5 February 1948)

§ VISCOUNT ADDISON
My Lords, I am quite sure that the whole House will be in accord with the sense of the Motion which we have just passed, that we should assent as quickly as possible to this Bill with which I am sure all noble Lords are in sympathy. Your Lordships are aware that these financial matters have already been carefully discussed in another place, and we should bear in mind that His Majesty has graciously arranged that Grants will be made from savings on the Civil List Funds, thereby obviating any charge on the public, at all events for the first few years. I am sure that the whole House will be in accord with me when I say that it is our earnest wish that Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh may live long and happy lives. We know that the nation looks forward with confidence to the results of the marriage which we witnessed. I feel that we should extend to Their Royal Highnesses our sincere and respectful good wishes for the life which is before them. I beg to move.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
My Lords, I am quite sure that the noble Viscount, the Leader of the House, has rightly interpreted the views of all of us, to whichever Party we may belong, when he said that any discussion on this Bill is unnecessary. I quite agree that it is absolutely unnecessary. We are all heartily in favour of the Bill. Let us, therefore, pass it and approve the provision therein made for Their Royal Highnesses in a 886 spirit of loyalty and affection to Princess Elizabeth and her husband, and to our King and Queen, whose tradition of service to their country Princess Elizabeth already so worthily upholds.

§ VISCOUNT SAMUEL
My Lords, the House had an opportunity some little time ago of expressing its good wishes to Princess Elizabeth and its great gratification at her marriage. To-day it remains merely that we should, with glad hearts, pass the Bill which now has come before us.