§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)My Lords, before the commencement of business, I take the opportunity to inform the House that, with the approval of Her Majesty the Queen, I have accepted an invitation from the President of the Folketing in Denmark to attend a conference of European Speakers to be held in Copenhagen on the 15th and 16th June. Accordingly, I trust that the House will agree to grant me leave of absence for Thursday 14th June and Friday 15th June.