Lord and Lady Hailsham, Bernard WeatherillMr. Speaker, Lord BelsteadLord Privy Seal, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a happy privilege to unveil this portrait to our distinguished and greatly loved colleague Lord Hailsham.
Lord BelsteadLord Privy Seal, you have alluded to Lord Hailsham 's remarkable record of public service. [end p1]
I. Service to Politics
Beginning as a Member of Parliament for Oxford City 50 years ago; coming to your Lordships' House on succession to the Viscountcy in 1950. Back to the Commons in 1963 and then returning to the Lords in 1970 as a Life Peer. In Ministerial office as First Lord of the Admiralty at the time of Suez; as Minister for Education, and Minister for Science; [end p2] as well as the great offices in your Lordship's House. But it is not only the offices Quintin held, it is the whole array of qualities, he brought to them. Qualities of intellect, integrity, vigour, scholarship and powerful advocacy. As a Cabinet colleague he recognised immediately the point of principle on which we must never compromise; on that [end p3] ground he stood and his unfailing loyalty and counsel at difficult times were crucial.
Here is a politician who could not breathe without liberty and who will forever defend it.
II. Service to the Law
—most notably as Lord Chancellor. [end p4] On great public occasions with his soaring oratory he always represented the grandeur and majesty of the Law. In magnificent language he expressed his reverence for the common law—that blend of fairness, equity, sense, impartiality, reasonableness—which couldn't have grown up anywhere but here, and which are our gift to so many other countries. [end p5] MT wrote “change of tone” at this point
Your Lordships will all have your own personal recollections of Quintin on the Woolsack. And I believe those of you who occupy the Episcopal and Liberal Front Benches nearest the Woolsack will have your own treasured stock of his asides whispered loudly enough to be heard but fortunately perhaps not loudly enough to enter the columns of the Official Report. [end p6] meeting; and which delights everyone of us. MT wrote “change tone” at this point.
Above all his deep and abiding faith, his Christian witness, which informs his every deed, every day.
My Lords, we honour today a great man of our time. A record of service founded on an inherent sense of duty, following the tradition of [end p7]
III. Service as an individual
Patriotism as shown in his wartime record is in every fibre of his being. We love his great sense of humour and of fun. Indeed although he has acquired the wisdom of decades he remains utterly young in spirit and joyousness—an infectious quality which enlivens many a dull [end p8] his distinguished father. As Lord Hailsham himself reminded me when he gave up as Lord Chancellor, it was his father's wig and gown he returned to their black box. And may I add—for future generations.
My Lord Hailsham, we salute you as a truly noble Peer and friend. [end p9]
It gives me special pleasure now to unveil the portrait of Lord Hailsham.