HL Deb 01 May 1975 vol 360 cc4-6

3.12 p.m.

Lord MONTAGU of BEAULIEU

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what contribution of a permanent nature they are proposing to give to the United States of America in recognition of their bicentennial in 1976.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

My Lords, the British Bicentennial Liaison Committee, under the chairmanship of the noble Marquess, Lord Lothian, have already made proposals for a contribution by Her Majesty's Government to the commemoration of the bicentennial, on which decisions will soon be taken. Those decisions will be announced in due course.

Lord MONTAGU of BEAULIEU

My Lords, does the noble Lord not agree that this is an excellent occasion for the British people to present the people of the United States with something of a more permanent nature—perhaps an exhibition or something which would permanently commemorate our common heritage and cultural heritage?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I take full note of what the noble Lord has said. I agree that our contribution must surely be worthy of the occasion.

Lord MAYBRAY-KING

My Lords, as many of the best speeches in favour of American Independence were made at the time of the revolutionary war by Members of the British Parliament, would it not be very appropriate that the British Parliament itself should celebrate this momentous bicentenary?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, that is another most worthy suggestion. At this stage I cannot anticipate what the Committee will report to my right honourable friend. At the moment he is considering a number of very interesting proposals.

Lord BOOTHBY

My Lords, will the noble Lord bear in mind that we are not at present in a position to give any money to the United States of America?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, on these occasions there are some gifts more valuable than money.

Lord DAVIES of LEEK

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that Thomas Jefferson, who was born in Glyncorrwg and was a fellow Welshman, wrote part of the Declaration of Independence; and that at that time of the revolution British Peers were judicious and wise enough to recognise that, when Americans were throwing off the incubus of imperialism, they were not to be called "Commies"?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, my Lords; actually Thomas Jefferson was born in Caernarvon and not in Glyncorrwg. But I join my noble friend in his enthusiastic greeting of this commemoration. America was, after all, the first example of a successful, although forced, British policy of decolonisation.

Lord TREVELYAN

My Lords, is the Minster aware that there will be an exhibition in the British Museum to celebrate the bicentennial?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I must add still one more interesting proposal to the long list now before my right honourable friend.

Lord MONTAGU of BEAULIEU

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether Her Majesty's Government will be advising Her Majesty the Queen to send Members of the Royal Family to take part in some celebrations?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I have no doubt that that suggestion is under consideration.

Lord WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, will my noble friend bear in mind that another Welshman, Elihu Yale, was the founder of Yale University, and surely we ought to recognise the important part that Wales played in helping the first country that broke away from the British Empire?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, a great many countries took part in the formation of the United States, including Wales. I like to think that the Welsh contribution was a fairly considerable and valuable one.