EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, may I also draw your Lordships' attention to a rather remarkable, and indeed unique, event which has just taken place? I believe that it was in 1191 that the first Mayor of London took office and it was about a century later that the first Lord Mayor of London took office. I believe that this is the first time in the succeeding 700 years or so that the Lord Mayor of London has, at the same time, happened to be a Member of your Lordships' House. Your Lordships may wish to take notice of this rather remarkable historical event and, with your agreement, perhaps I may be allowed to write to the Lord Mayor to express our good wishes to him in the tenure of his office.
May I also take this opportunity to congratulate the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition on the fact that on this occasion this joint office, as it were, is being held by a member of his Party. I hope that when, in another 700 years or so, the next Lord Mayor who is a Peer is appointed he will happen to be a Member of this side of your Lordships' House.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I am sure that the House is in full agreement with the noble Earl. We certainly 599 appreciate that this is a unique event. I am not expert enough historically to know whether the relations between your Lordships' House and the City of London have always been of the best; I suspect that there were times when they were not. But in these more liberal days, when a member of the Labour Party can be a Lord Mayor of London, things are rather easier. I greatly appreciate the noble Earl's congratulations. In this election we have once again a demonstration of the great versatility of Members of your Lordships' House, particularly on this side. I certainly hope that the House will encourage the noble Earl to write such a letter, because I know that the noble Lord, Lord Mais, is very proud of his membership of your Lordships' House. He had a very distinguished record in building mulberry harbours and so on during the war, and I can only hope that in another 700 years' time the noble Earl's side of the House will have the same good fortune as we on this side have this year.
§ LORD GLADWYNMy Lords, on behalf of all my noble friends on these Benches I should like to associate myself with the proposal put forward by the noble Earl the Leader of the House. I am sure that nobody could be more liberal in his outlook than the present Lord Mayor of London.