§ The LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)My Lords, I have to inform your Lordships that Mr. Nollan Makombe has been elected President of the Senate of Zimbabwe.
As Speaker of the House of Lords, I should very much like to send the President a telegram of congratulations on behalf of the House. Under Standing Order 16 I may not do anything as the mouth of the House without the consent of the Lords first had. I therefore seek the agreement of your Lordships to my sending a telegram to the President of the Senate of Zimbabwe on behalf of the House.
May I take it as the wish of the House that I should do so?