§ 3.6 p.m.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD GARDINER)My Lords, may I ask for the indulgence of the House to make a short personal statement? I have been invited by the American Law Institute to make the principal address at the concluding function of their annual meeting in Washington on Friday, May 20. To do so, I should have to leave London in the early afternoon of the preceding day, and I should therefore not be in my place for what, I am sure, will be a very interesting debate on gambling. The American Law Institute is the principal law reforming agency of the United States and its meeting is being opened by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. It is a considerable honour to have been invited to give this address. I should be back in my place on the Monday. I have Her Majesty's approval of my acceptance of the invitation, and I hope that I shall have your Lordships'.