§ 2.35 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE EARL OF LONGFORD)My Lords, I have it in command to deliver to your Lordships a Message from Her Majesty The Queen.
Then Her Majesty's Message was presented and read to the House by the Lord Chancellor as follows:
I know that it will be the wish of all my people that the loss which we have all sustained by the death of the Right Honourable Sir Winston Churchill, Knight of the Garter, should be met in the most fitting manner and that they should have an opportunity of expressing their sorrow at the loss and their veneration of the memory of that outstanding man who, in war and peace, served his country unfailingly for more than fifty years and in the hours of our greatest danger was the inspiring leader who strengthened and supported us all.Confident in the support of Parliament for the due acknowledgment of our debt of gratitude and in thanksgiving for the life and example of a national hero, I have directed that Sir Winston's body shall lie in State in Westminster Hall and that thereafter the funeral service shall be held in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul.ELIZABETH REGINA.
§ THE EARL OF LONGFORDMy Lords, I beg to move that the Message from Her Majesty the Queen be taken into consideration forthwith.
§ Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.