§ 2.32 p.m.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, I am sure we would not wish to proceed with business without recording our deep sorrow at the untimely death of Anthony Crosland and our sympathy and support for his widow and family.
2 The tributes that have been paid to his memory by leading statesmen all over the world, and not least yesterday in another place by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and others, are a testimony to the respect, admiration and affection which this brilliant and courageous man inspired in all who knew him. I myself worked closely with him at the Department of Education and Science and at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where I was privileged to enjoy his friendship as a man and his confidence as my superior. Like others, I saw for myself how he combined intellect and integrity, qualities which he dedicated in war and in peace to the service of his country and humanity.
His public achievements are a matter of record, but like the Prime Minister I should like to emphasise his contribution to the great inquiry of our times: how to pursue constructive change through democratic means. As thinker and executive he constantly applied this high principle to his every action. My Lords, like Iain Macleod, whose memory we continue to cherish, Anthony Crosland was struck down literally in the harness of duty. But I believe he died as he lived, a happy man, surrounded by the love of a family in whom he delighted, and knowing not only that he had worked to high purpose but also that he had lived according to the higher graces of good humour, good taste and good faith.
§ Baroness ELLESMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Carrington, who is abroad at the present time, and of my noble friends on these Benches, we should like to be associated with the moving tribute which has been paid to the late Anthony Crosland by the noble Lord, Lord Goronwy-Roberts. From reading his obituary it was clear that Anthony Crosland as a student was already a dedicated politician, and he never swerved from the principles which he formed at that age. His thought and beliefs were implemented throughout his life by his distinguished writings and by his political career. We on this side of the House realise that he will be a great loss not only to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and all his colleagues in the Labour Party, but also to our country. He had already earned the great admiration of his fellow Ministers in the European Council of Ministers over which he was already presiding so distinctively in such a distinguished manner from January of this year.
From this House goes a particularly warm tribute to him for his achievements. Only last Thursday from all sides of this House tribute was paid to the remarkable and distinguished speech that he had made in the European Parliament. On behalf of noble Lords on these Benches, I add our tribute to those expressed by the noble Lord, and we send our deep sorrow to his wife and his family.
§ Lord BYERSMy Lords, from these Benches we also wish to be associated with the tributes which have already been paid to Anthony Crosland both inside and outside Parliament. His tragic death came as a very great shock to the country as a whole, and those of us who had known him at fairly close quarters over many years sustained a special sense of shock at the loss of one who we all knew had so much still to give to international and domestic politics, in addition to the notable contribution which he had already made in his lifetime. It has been rightly said and echoed today that this is a loss to much more than the Labour Party and the Government. We all, in all quarters, feel it very deeply, and we wish to send our sincerest sympathy to his charming wife and his family.
§ Lord SELWYN-LLOYDMy Lords, I should like to say just a sentence or 4 two from these Benches, from one who held the office of Foreign Secretary and who in fact—a daunting thought—was appointed to it over 21 years ago. Anthony Crosland had a fine mind. He was an effective Minister and debater; he upheld the standards expected of the Treasury Bench—lucidity, courtesy, moderation but firmness when necessary. He had a most attractive personality. His death is a great loss to our public life. Our sympathy goes out to his widow; they were, I know, a devoted couple. Our good wishes go to his successor.