Lords Sitting of 8 February 1952

Preamble
The House met at twelve of the clock, The Lord Chancellor on the Woolsack.
Prayers

HIS LATE MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI
The LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD SIMONDS): My Lords, I beg to acquaint your Lordships that I have received the following letter from the Earl Marshal, dated the Earl Marshal's Office, Norfolk House, to-day:
"My Lord,
"It is the Queen's command that the remains of His late Majesty shall be removed from Sandringham to Westminster Hall on Monday next, February 11, there to lie in state until His late Majesty's funeral on February 15.
"The Queen thinks that members of your Lordships' House would wish to be present in Westminster Hall on February 11, together with members of the House of Commons, and I notify you accordingly.
"The body of His late Majesty will reach Westminster Hall at 4.15 o'clock.
"I am,
Your Lordship's obedient servant,
NORFOLK,
Earl Marshal."
12.7 p.m.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUEES OF SALISBURY): My Lords, I beg to move that the House do attend the Lying-in-State of His late Majesty King George VI in Westminster Hall on Monday next, February 11. In moving this, perhaps it may be convenient to your Lordships that I should indicate the procedure which it is proposed that the House should follow on that occasion.
The House will meet on Monday next at two o'clock, for the purpose of considering a gracious Message from Her Majesty the Queen and agreeing to an humble Address in reply, which it will be my privilege to propose to your Lord-
1070
ships, and Messages to Their Majesties Queen Mary and the Queen Mother. And thereafter, at the appropriate time, the House will go in procession, led by the Lord Chancellor, to Westminster Hall to attend the Lying-in-State. It will, I think, be appropriate on this occasion that Lords Spiritual present that afternoon should move first, immediately after the Lord Chancellor and the Clerks at the Table, followed by Privy Counsellors and Peers on the Front Benches on either side of the House, and thereafter by noble Lords on the other Benches in succession.
The procession will move, as far as possible, four abreast, and the route will be through the Brass Gates, St. Stephen's Hall, and thence along the left hand or West side of Westminster Hall. The Lord Chancellor, Spiritual Peers and Privy Counsellors will take station about the middle of the Hall. The rest of the procession will pass on to the end of the Hall, until the space to the left of the centre is filled. The remainder of the procession will fill up the space to the right of the centre. On this occasion, morning dress or short black coats will be worn.
After the ceremony in Westminster Hall the House will return to the Chamber for the Motion for the Adjournment of the House till Tuesday, February 19. The Business for that and the following day will be the Motion on the Economic Situation in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Pakenham.
Moved, That the House do attend the Lying-in-State of His late Majesty King George VI in Westminster Hall on Monday next, February 11.—(The Marquess of Salisbury.)
On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE
THE LORD CHANCELLOR: My Lords, I have to inform your Lordships that I have received from the Upper Chambers of various countries a number of telegrams of condolence upon the great loss we have sustained. I will, with your Lordships' permission, read the telegrams, translating into English those that have been sent in a foreign language. They are as follows:

1071
From the President of the Council of the Republic of France:
"Profoundly grieved by the news of the death of His Majesty King George VI. Please accept for yourself and the members of the House of Lords the sincere condolences which I address to you in my own name and in that of the officers and members of the Council of the Republic. France and the French Union share as brothers in the cruel grief which afflicts your country in the loss of the King, who was the incarnation of the virtues of courage and abnegation of the people of Britain."
From the President of the Belgian Senate:
"The Belgian Senate has learned with consternation of, the unhappy death of King George. It shares the affliction of the Parliament and people of Britain and pays homage to the outstanding virtues of the late Sovereign. It recalls with emotion the tranquil courage and the imperturbable faith in the destinies of the free world with which he shared in the trials of the war. He was the supreme incarnation of the will to live and the desire for justice and peace of the British people. In my own name and in the name of the Senate I beg you to accept our most profound condolences."
From the Speaker of the United Althing of Iceland:
"Please accept our deepest sympathy on account of your nation's great loss caused by the sudden death of His Majesty King George VI."
From the President of the Council of Nationalities of Yugoslavia:
"On the occasion of the death of His Majesty King George VI, I offer to Your Excellency and the honourable members of the House of Lords the heartfelt condolence of the members of the People's Council of Nationalities of the People's Assembly of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, and my own."
From the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament:
"We are deeply moved at the news of the sudden loss of His Majesty King George VI. On behalf of the Indonesian Parliament please convey our most respectful and sincere sympathy
1072
to Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. May God Almighty strengthen the hearts of the British people in facing this tragic loss."
From the President of the House of Councillors, Japan:
"It was with deep distress and sorrow that I learned of the decease of His Majesty King George VI and I extend to you and the British nation my deepest condolences in this hour of grief."
From the President of the Senate of the Italian Republic:
"The Senate of the Italian Republic shares with deep emotion the profound sorrow of the British Parliament and nation at the grievous loss of His Majesty King George VI."
From the President of the Assembly of People's Representatives of Thailand:
"On behalf of the members of the Assembly of the People's Representatives, I beg to convey to you an expression of sincerest condolences and sympathy on the sad demise of His Majesty King George VI."
From the Acting President of the Senate of the Argentine:
"In the name of the Argentine Senate and in my own, I offer to Your Excellency and through you to the House of Lords the expression of our profound grief at the death of His Majesty King George, the illustrious Sovereign of a great friendly nation. Please accept, Your Excellency, with the expression of these sentiments, the assurance of my highest consideration."
From the Vice-President of the Senate of Chile:
"The Senate of Chile expresses through me their sincere grief at the sorrow which afflicts the British Commonwealth of Nations and expresses its condolences to the House of Lords."
These messages, my Lords, have been suitably acknowledged.
Several Lords—Took the Oath.
Viscount Addison—Sat first in Parliament after the death of his father.
House adjourned at half past twelve o'clock until two o'clock, Monday, 11th February.