§ 3.18 p.m.
§ Lord CARRINGTONMy Lords, I expect that it is out of Order, but we on this side of the House would not allow an occasion when we have lost a Deputy Leader of the House and gained another one—apart from some other promotions —to pass without some words from us. We thank the noble Lord, Lord Beswick, very much for all he has done in his job as Deputy Leader of the House, and we wish him well in his new appointment, should that appointment ever materialise, since the Bill relating to the job which he has now accepted has not yet gone through your Lordships' House. We do not know that we hope it does, but, never mind, if he ever gets there we wish him well.
We wish the noble Lord, Lord Goronwy-Roberts, a very warm welcome. In a short time he has already made a reputation for himself in this House, and I am glad to be able to say that because I shall say some very rude things to him later in the afternoon on a different subject. We also wish well other noble Lords who have been promoted and who have been given different jobs, and congratulate them on their new appointments.
§ Lord BYERSMy Lords, I should like to endorse what the noble Lord, Lord Carrington, has said. We on these Benches view with very mixed feelings the departure of the noble Lord, Lord Beswick. We shall miss him at the Dispatch Box, where he has done an outstanding job, even though we have disagreed vigorously on occasions. I am not sure whether his new appointment is 754 preferment or punishment, but if ever a noble Lord has made a rod for his own back the noble Lord has done it himself. I understand that the noble Lord, Lord Balogh, retires, having reached the age of 70. I had no idea he was anywhere near that danger point, and I think this must be one of the few occasions when this age limit rule has been invoked in this House. But we wish him well in his retirement from his North Sea responsibilities.
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Shepherd)My Lords, perhaps I may respond to the kindliness and the generosity of the noble Lord, Lord Carrington, and the noble Lord, Lord Byers, in what they have said about my noble friend Lord Beswick. I shall not speculate as to the future behaviour of your Lordships' House in regard to a certain piece of legislation, but of one thing I am fairly certain; that is, that I have the whole House with me in expressing appreciation to my noble friend Lord Beswick, not only for what he has done as a Minister and as Deputy Leader but for the service that he rendered the House —I mean service—as Chief Whip in Government from 1967 to 1970 and, perhaps in a harder way, when he was Chief Whip in Opposition. To be Chief Whip in Opposition when facing a majority Party like that of the noble Lords opposite requires three characteristics. One is guile, one is firmness and one is, on occasions, just downright obstinancy. My noble friend has all those characteristics, though fortunately the latter did not have to show itself very frequently. But, as I have said on other occasions—and I should like to repeat it now—this House depends fundamentally, if not entirely, upon the way in which the Chief Whips of the three political Parties work together, for without them I do not know how we would conduct our business.
I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Byers: it is hard to believe that my noble friend Lord Balogh is 70. However, he did make it clear that when 70 arrived he would leave, though I suspect, knowing my noble friend, it will not be long before he is entertaining us in this House and also taking up new positions in the national interest. One of the other changes, of course, has produced yet another lady on the Front Bench. 755 Heaven knows how we are going to cope with it, but here I must be careful or I shall have my noble friend Lady Summerskill on my back. But, my Lords, we warmly welcome my noble friend Lady Stedman to the ranks of the Whips, upon whom, I say again, the Government Front Bench very much depends.
In regard to the other two Ministers, the noble Lord, Lord Melchett, and the noble Lord, Lord Lovell-Davis, they have many characteristics. One, to which I attach the greatest importance, is that they are young and will be able to assume the burdens of your Lordships' House for many years ahead. But, my Lords, particularly I agree with my noble friend, the noble Lord, Lord Carrington—I will say "my noble friend Lord Carrington"—in expressing a great welcome and great satisfaction that my noble friend Lord Goronwy-Roberts has not only got back his old Ministerial rank in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office but has also been appointed Deputy Leader. I cannot help but remember the day on which he was introduced to your Lord ships' House. He took off his robes, ran through the passageway to the Despatch Box and dealt with two Questions. As a friend said to me, "He was born to be a Lord". There is a great deal of truth in that observation, and I am delighted that he is now my deputy in leading your Lordships' House.
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I wonder whether it would be in order to acknowledge the generosity of the personal remarks made about me. I have learned to respect this House. As in all true respect, there is an element of affection, and I shall miss my place on the Front Bench. My Lords, controversy without malice, blessed with opinions but not cursed with prejudice, are qualities which I think this House has contributed to public life, and I hope it will continue to do so. If I can be associated with it, I shall be most grateful; and if I can think that I carry some good will with me in any other work I am called upon to do, then that will strengthen me. I thank your Lordships very much.
§ Lord BALOGHMy Lords, I must thank the noble Lord, Lord Carrington, for the generous words he spoke about me, because it shows that my being on the 756 Front Bench was not unremarked by the Tories! I thank the noble Lord, Lord Byers, very much indeed for his generous words. We have crossed swords, but I hope that I behaved with due respect to him and to other noble Lords. While I enjoyed thoroughly my role as a Minister, I hope my return to academic life will be a great solace to me in my old age.