§ 3.5 p.m.
§ House in Committee (according to Order): Bill reported without amendment.
§ Then Standing Order No. 41 having been suspended (pursuant to the Resolution of May 30, 1960):
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(The Earl of Home.)
LORD REAMy Lords, may I, while apologising to your Lordships for following a rather unusual procedure, refer to the remarks of the noble Lord, Lord Dalton, that he was unable to be in his place when another Bill was going through Second Reading. It so happens 116 that this Bill went through at an unusually late hour last evening and some of us were unable to be present. It is true that it received a welcome and a blessing from both the Government side of the House and the official Opposition side, but I should like to add, not only on behalf of those noble Lords who sit with me on these Benches but, I am sure, on behalf of all noble Lords of no affiliated Party, their best wishes to this new Republic within the Commonwealth. I hope that their path ahead, though it will be difficult to start with, will be very successful and prosperous, and that this sentiment may be recorded not only in your Lordships' Records but also in Ghana itself, in their archives.
§ BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGERMy Lords, I am in the same position of not having been able to be here for the Second Reading debate on the Bill. I should be sorry if I could not associate myself with the good wishes that have been expressed. I have had close and happy connections with Ghana and would strongly wish to express, on my own behalf and, I am sure, on behalf of everybody on these Benches, the very good wishes we feel and the confident expectations that we share with noble Lords opposite for the successful, happy and prosperous future of the new Republic of Ghana.
LORD FARINGDONMy Lords, as everybody seems to be doing it, I, too, should like to add my few remarks of good wishes towards this new Republic. It has been my privilege and pleasure over a number of years to have fairly close contact with a good many of the Ghanaian personalities, and I have received in Ghana itself the kindest and (if I may put it this way) most interesting hospitality personally. I have had the privilege of knowing personally, I think I may say, all the members of the present Ghanaian Government, and I think Ghana goes forward with a most interesting and able team in her Government. I believe that this will contribute enormously to the happy future which we all wish it.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I hope that this Bill is just the exception which proves the rule that we do not make speeches on Third Reading. But I am glad the noble Lord, Lord Rea, the noble Baroness, Lady Wootton of 117 Abinger, and the noble Lord, Lord Faringdon, have had an opportunity to say how glad they are that Ghana is to remain within the Commonwealth now that she has become a Republic. I am sure this Bill will be passed by your Lordships with acclamation.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a, and passed.