HL Deb 21 January 1953 vol 179 cc1144-5
LORD DENMAN

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would approve the erection by private initiative of a memorial to the late Mr. W. M. Hughes, formerly Prime Minister of Australia, and whether, with the agreement of the Dean and Chapter who have been consulted, the memorial should take the form of a plaque in the Crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral.]

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (VISCOUNT SWINTON)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government share the high regard felt for Mr. Hughes throughout the Commonwealth and welcome the noble Lord's suggestion that he should initiate a plan for the erection of a memorial to him. It would seem particularly appropriate that this should take the form of a plaque in St. Paul's Cathedral.

LORD DENMAN

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Viscount for his sympathetic and encouraging reply.

VISCOUNT SWINTON

I am equally grateful to the noble Lord for his interest and initiative.

LORD GIFFORD

My Lords, may I be allowed to add my thanks to the Government for their sympathetic reply, as probably I was the last member of your Lordships' House who saw Billy Hughes alive, having visited him in his home in Sydney only a few months ago?