§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now proceed to Westminster Hall for the purpose of presenting the humble Address which the House ordered yesterday to be presented to Her Majesty, and that thereafter the House do adjourn during pleasure and do meet again in this Chamber at half-past two o'clock.
§ Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.
§ House proceeded to Westminster Hall accordingly, for the purpose of presenting to Her Majesty an Address of congratulation in accordance with the Resolution of yesterday. The Commons also assembled in the Hall for a similar purpose.
§ The Address from the House of Lords, read by the Lord Chancellor (Lord Elwyn-Jones), was as follows:
§ "Most Gracious Majesty,
§ "It is a great joy to us who are assembled here today in this ancient Westminster Hall, where a decade ago in the presence of Your Majesty we commemorated the 700th Anniversary of the Parliament of Simon de Montfort, to welcome Your Majesty on this historic occasion to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Your Accession. It is very rare for the three elements of Parliament—Your Majesty, the Lords and the Commons—to meet together in Westminster Hall. There can be no occasion more worthy of doing so than today's.
§ "Our ceremony launches today a nationwide celebration of Your Majesty's Silver Jubilee. Every city, every town, every village, every hamlet, each in its own way, will be rejoicing 982 throughout the summer. For the old and the young, and particularly the children, it will be a Jubilee summer which we feel sure will never be forgotten. Wherever You go, You will be greeted with the feelings of gratitude and love of Your people. We, the Members of the House of Lords, warmly share these feelings and offer You our sincere thanks for a quarter of a century of devoted service.
§ "We would like to join with these thanks to Your Majesty our warm appreciation also of the unfailing support and creative service given by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. I know that the House of Lords would also like me to express our gratitude to Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, and Princess Anne, and the other Members of the Royal Family.
§ "These last twenty-five years have seen immense changes. It is not only in our own country but throughout the world that patterns of Government and ways of life have been rapidly changed. No change can be accomplished without serious difficulties. But the new Commonwealth of 36 independent States provides a unique example of a continuing sense of identity and human understanding. How strong the links still are You will have seen for Yourself in the enthusiastic welcome that has been given to You in every country You have recently visited during Your Commonwealth tour and of which we have been able to savour a little from the television pictures of the cheering and happy people who have greeted You.
§ "We are now a member of the European Communities. Membership may bring many challenges for us in the future and perhaps lead to even greater changes.
§ "Since Your Majesty came to the Throne, we have at home been through both progress and set-backs. The talents of Your people have manifested themselves in the fields of the Arts and Sciences, of Technology and Engineering, of Medicine, of Education and Social Services, and in all these accomplishments women have come increasingly to play their rightful part.
983§ "Throughout all this challenging quarter of a century Your Majesty has maintained with dignity our links with our historical past. You have provided us with a fine example of integrity and devotion to duty in public life and, in private life, with a model of a loving and united family. Your courage in the face of difficulties, and sometimes dangers, commands our admiration. Your ability cheerfully to adapt to the mood of the time and yet preserve a calm continuity, is a virtue for which everyone assembled here today is grateful. You are thus a continuing inspiration and source of strength to us all. In 1952 we remember that Your Majesty undertook to work, as your father did throughout his reign, to uphold constitutional Government. We all gladly acknowledge how splendidly You have done so and we here today, Lords and Commons, pledge You our full support in the corning years.
§ "We pray that Your reign, like that of Your Royal namesake, Elizabeth I, may continue long and prosperous. In gratitude and affection we pray God bless Your Majesty'."