§ 2.35 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (VISCOUNT ADDISON)My Lords, before we approach the Business of the day, I am sure it will be your wish that I should mention the grievous loss that we have sustained by the death of Lord Portal. It has been remarkable that in the short time since we adjourned for the Easter Recess the Angel of Death has been close to this House and has removed beloved and conspicuous figures. We have already paid tribute to Lord Lucan and the learned Lords, Lord Uthwatt and Lord du Parcq, and now suddenly Lord Portal has been taken. Reflecting upon the losses of these few days one might say that the Angel of Death has been so near to us that, to use Bright's words, we "may almost hear the beating of his wings." By the passing of Lord Portal the nation has lost a kind, emphatic, clear-headed and most competent servant, not only to the State, but to the many other interests that he served.
I think that all of us who knew him well had for him a real affection. In conversation with him, I found at all times that he had a clear understanding and very wide sympathies. I cannot forget that when, as Minister of Works, he was concerned in improvising housing accommodation of a temporary kind, the thing uppermost in his mind was solicitude for the wife who would have to spend her time in it. His whole desire was to make it as convenient and as handy as possible within the limited space available. Whenever he took hold of a thing, it went smoothly and successfully—that, at all events, was my impression. He would go out of his way to give credit to his helpers, and would say little of his part in it. But those of us who know how great matters are handled know well how much any success 420 achieved must have been due to his wise guidance. His abilities are evident from the fact that, when it fell to him to handle or have control of the whole family business, in a very short time it was greatly enlarged. As we know too, he had intimate association with many Governments.
Among a long series of services which he performed, the last that many of us may recall was his Chairmanship of the Committee that organised the Olympic Games. There again, he was always attributing to his helpers the success and the smooth running of the organisation; he said nothing of himself, I am quite sure that to many of your Lordships, as well as to me, Lord Portal was a generous-hearted, kind and constant friend. We are the poorer by his death; we are the richer by his contributions to the State, and we are inspired by his example.
§ 2.41 p.m.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, on behalf of those who sit on these Benches, I rise to associate myself with what has been so well said by the noble Viscount the Leader of the House. Lord Portal, whom we mourn to-day, was, as he has said, a remarkable man, with very wide interests. To anyone who did not know him he might have appeared, with his background as the head of a big business, as an example of a capitalist, in the sense in which that word is sometimes used—or misused—by some supporters of the Party to which some noble Lords opposite belong. But in fact he was something very different from that, as we all know. He combined with a shrewd business sense and insight, kindliness and imagination and a broad sympathy which enabled him to understand the problems of those less fortunate than himself. It was those qualities that brought him so many friends in all Parties, both in this House and outside. No one who ever heard Lord Portal speak here will forget the experience. He was in no sense an orator: but his speeches, with their admixture of practical experience and sturdy common sense, were always effective and convincing.
As the Leader of the House has already said, he was a good and generous employer and a valuable public servant who was called upon to perform many and various tasks, and did all of them well. He will be remembered best by the "Portal house." As your Lordships will 421 remember, that house was criticised in some respects at the time; but it has become the prototype of all the prefabricated houses that have been built since. I was fortunate enough, I think, to be almost the first person to see the specimen house which was set up in the grounds of the Tate Gallery. I went there with Lord Portal himself very early in the day when it became open to the public, and I remember the indelible impression that he made upon me by the thought and care which he devoted to the comfort of those for whom the house was designed. As your Lordships know, he was not physically a strong man. He suffered for many years from phlebitis, and he was, I believe, in constant pain. But this never interfered with his activities and never lessened the gusto with which he enjoyed life. Such qualities as those are as rare as they are valuable. He did his country many services, and his country and his friends are the poorer by his death. I am sure your Lordships will wish me, on behalf of the Party whom I represent, to convey our very deep sympathy to his wife in the grievous loss which has befallen her.
§ 2.43 p.m.
THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, those who sit on these Benches would wish to be associated with the two tributes which have been paid to Lord Portal. I think what struck some of us who knew him was his readiness to sacrifice his time, his leisure and his energy—and his energy was certainly great—to any cause which he thought would benefit his country or help his fellow citizens. That is evidence of a patriotic, noble and generous spirit—a spirit which we can ill afford to lose. We, too, should like to extend our sympathy to Lady Portal and his relatives.