§ 2.47 p.m.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD HAILSHAM OF SAINT MARYLEBONE)My Lords, I should like, if I may, to take this opportunity of acquainting your Lordships with the fact that I have been requested, with the Queen's approval, to lead the United Kingdom delegation at a Conference of European Ministers of Justice to be held at Basle next week. Among the subjects to be discussed at the Conference are custody and guardianship of infants, alternatives to full-time imprisonment, and privacy. It is also proposed that while there I should sign on behalf of the United Kingdom Government the European Conventions on Wills and State Immunity. I hope, therefore, that your Lordships will agree to grant me leave of absence for this purpose for the two days, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, May 16 and 17.