§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD ELWYN-JONES)My Lords, I should like, if I may, to take this opportunity of acquainting your Lordships with the fact that I have accepted, with the Queen's approval, an invitation from the President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe to attend a ceremonial sitting of the Assembly in Strasbourg next Monday, May 6, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its foundation. Similar invitations have been extended to the Speakers and Clerks of all the Parliaments of the Member States of the Council of Europe. I hope, therefore, that your Lordships will agree to grant me leave of absence for this purpose for two days, Monday and Tuesday of next week, May 6 and 7. I shall be accompanied by the Clerk of the Parliaments.