HL Deb 29 June 1989 vol 509 cc908-9

7.31 p.m.

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be now received.

Although no further comments on the Bill are required, it might be of interest to the House to know that today is precisely the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1889. To mark the occasion, this morning in the Members' Lobby of another place Mr. Speaker unveiled a bust of Sir Randal Cremer, the distinguished liberal thinker and co-founder of the IPU with Mr. Frédéric Passy from France.

It was only a small ceremony, but a significant landmark in the various events that are taking place this year which lead up to the important IPU centenary conference taking place in London in September. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Report be now received. —(Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.)

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, I associate the Opposition with the remarks of the noble Viscount, Lord Montgomery, and congratulate the Inter-Parliamentary Union most warmly upon its centenary. It is one of the few international institutions I know which has done no harm but which has achieved a great deal of good. Anyone who has attended an IPU annual conference will appreciate that. I wish the IPU many happy returns of the day.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, perhaps I may be associated with the remarks of my noble friend Lord Montgomery and also the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn. One hundred years is a very good start. We look forward to a further 100 years. I join with both noble Lords in wishing the IPU every success for the future.

Report received.

[The Sitting was suspended from 7.35 to 8.30 p.m.]