§ 2.52 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT SAMUELMy Lords, may I be allowed to ask the noble Marquess the Leader of the House whether he can give the House any information as to the health of the Lord President of the Council, of whose serious illness we have all heard with so much regret?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMON WEALTH RELATIONS (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, I am sure that all noble Lords in this House, on whatever side they sit, will be grateful to the noble Viscount, Lord Samuel, for the kind thought that has prompted him to make this inquiry. I know that above all, my noble friend Lord Woolton will be grateful, for your Lordships know how deeply devoted he is to this House. I am glad to be able to tell the noble Viscount and your Lordships that the latest reports are that my noble friend is going on as well as can be expected. I cannot say any more than that at the present stage, but I can assure the noble Viscount that if he will allow me I will forward the sympathy of him and your Lordships in the kind inquiries you have made this afternoon.
§ VISCOUNT HALLMy Lords, I should like to associate noble Lords on this side of the House with the noble Marquess in expressing our gratitude to the noble Viscount for his thought in putting the question to the Leader of the House. It was a great shock to all of us to hear of the sudden illness of the noble Lord, Lord Woolton. We hope that his recovery will be sure, and that his return to your Lordships' House will not be too long delayed. Noble Lords on this side would like to be associated with any good wishes which are sent to Lord Woolton from his colleagues in this House.