§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy 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.