HL Deb 06 February 1989 vol 503 cc1420-1WA
Lord Callaghan of Cardiff

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what sessions of Parliament, apart from the current one, the gracious Speech from the Throne has not included a reference to the attitude of Her Majesty's Government towards the Commonwealth, and has omitted a declaration of their willingness to offer their full support to the Commonwealth

Lord Glenarthur

The gracious Speech has, over the years, contained references to the Commonwealth and its forthcoming Heads of Government Meeting in a variety of forms. In 1976, the speech contained a reference to the forthcoming Heads of Government Meeting, but omitted any declaration of the Government of the day's willingness to offer its full support to the Commonwealth (Vol. 921,Official Report, col. 4). As my noble friend Lord Trefgarne said in the Debate on the Address (Official Report, Vol. 502; col. 96), we fully support the Commonwealth.