§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I beg leave 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, in view of the long and distinguished history of the Colonial Office, any action is being taken by Her Majesty's Government, on the absorption of that Office into the Commonwealth Relations Office, to mark the appreciation of this country of the service of those who have devoted their lives and careers to the Colonial Territories.]
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE EARL. OF LONGFORD)No, my Lords, no such action is contemplated. I should like to take this opportunity to explain that the Colonial Office is not being absorbed into the Commonwealth Relations Office. What is to happen is that these two great Departments of State, each of which has hitherto been concerned with different aspects of Commonwealth affairs, are to be brought together to form a new Commonwealth Office whose responsibilities will cover all territories within the Commonwealth. None the less, I should like to thank the noble Lord sincerely for giving me this opportunity to express on behalf of Her Majesty's Government the very real gratitude which is due to those devoted men and women who over the years contributed so much to the social, political and economic advancement of the British dependent territories.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Earl for the concluding remarks of his Answer; and may I say that I and my noble friends would wish to be associated with them in every way possible?