§ 3.5 p.m.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD GARDINER)My Lords, I have to inform the House that I have received, through the Foreign Office, a bound presentation copy of a Resolution adopted by the Greek Parliament on January 25 in tribute to Sir Winston Churchill, together with the text of a speech made by the Speaker in introducing the Resolution.
I propose, with your Lordships' approval, to express on your behalf our warmest thanks to the Speaker of the Greek Parliament for his generous words and for his kind consideration in sending the text of the Resolution, which, with permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
LORD REAMy Lords, it is a little unusual to take notice of this sort of statement. I am sure that the House will very much appreciate having it. I should like to add to it what I am sure we all feel: our great pleasure that the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor is back with us.
§ Following is the text of the Resolution referred to:
§ "The Parliament of the Hellenes, having learned with the deepest sorrow of the death of Winston Churchill, a statesman of genius who in the hour of direst peril led the fight for free institutions and who emerged as the chief contributor to the victory of the free peoples, thus saving those human values which had endured for centuries, on a motion of its Speaker,
§ Resolves:
- 1. To express to Sir Winston's family and to the Houses of Parliament its whole-hearted participation in their grievous sorrow,
- 2. To fly the flag of Parliament at half-mast to-day and on Saturday, January 30, the day of the Funeral,
- 3. To adjourn the House in respectful tribute to his glorious memory, and
- 4. To send the present Resolution to Sir Winston's family and to the British Houses of Parliament.