HL Deb 29 May 1962 vol 241 cc104-5

2.44 p.m.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I should like to make a personal statement. In my capacity as Lord Chancellor, I have received an invitation from the University of Virginia to deliver the commencement address on graduation day. I have also been asked to speak to a gathering of alumni of the Law School. In addition, I have been invited to address the Jamestown Foundation and the Virginia Historical Society.

I hope that your Lordships will consider that it is right that I should have accepted these invitations and taken the opportunity of speaking to a number of audiences in the United States. This visit will involve me in leaving London next Thursday afternoon, May 31, and I hope to be back on the following Wednesday morning, June 6. All being well, therefore, I should miss only three sitting days of the House. I accordingly ask your Lordships to agree to my being absent from my place on the Woolsack during that time.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I think that it would be appropriate if I said from this side of the House to the Government that we should like to congratulate the noble and learned Viscount the Lord Chancellor on the invitations sent to him. I hope that he will not only have a very profitable time but do us some good while he is over there.

LORD REA

My Lords, from this side of the House may I endorse what the noble Viscount has said? The noble and learned Viscount is so assiduous in his duties that I would suggest, if he will forgive me for doing so, that he should consider patronising one of the shipping industries on one of his journeys and so have a well-deserved rest.

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MILLS)

My Lords, I am sure that my noble and learned friend as well as all of us on this side of the House will be very grateful for what has been said.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I must thank the noble Viscount who leads the Opposition, the noble Lord, Lord Rea, my noble friend Lord Mills and all the House for their unvarying kindness, which has shown itself on this occasion.