§ Mr. Peytonasked the Lord President of the Council if he has any announcement to make on the ceremony being arranged to mark the bicentennial of the United States of America.
§ Mr. Edward ShortFollowing the statement I made on 17th July 1975, a small Committee working under my chairmanship has had consultations with officials of the Congress of the United States of America. It has been agreed that the ceremony in Westminster Hall will take place on the morning of 26th May, and 25 Members of Congress and their wives have been invited as guests of Parliament on a three-day official visit.
The House will recall that a special showcase is being presented to the Congress of the United States in which will be displayed one of the two original copies of Magna Carta, which will be on loan for one year, and a facsimile in gold of Magna Carta, which is a permanent gift. The showcase and the gold facsimile will be on view in the Moses Room of the House of Lords on 4th, 5th and 6th May.