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Monday Volume 692
12 April 2021 No. 198
HOUSE OF COMMONS
OFFICIAL REPORT
PARLIAMENTARY
DEBATES
(HANSARD)
Monday 12 April 2021© Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2021
This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,
which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/.HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
(FORMED BY THE RT HON. BORIS JOHNSON, MP, DECEMBER 2019)
PRIME MINISTER, FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY, MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND MINISTER FOR THE UNION—
The Rt Hon. Boris Johnson, MP
CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. Rishi Sunak, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT AFFAIRS AND FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE—
The Rt Hon. Dominic Raab, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT—The Rt Hon. Priti Patel, MP
CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER AND MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE—The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP
LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE—The Rt Hon. Robert Buckland, QC, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE—The Rt Hon. Ben Wallace, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE—The Rt Hon. Matt Hancock, MP
COP26 PRESIDENT—The Rt Hon. Alok Sharma, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY—The Rt Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE, AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND
EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. Elizabeth Truss, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS—The Rt Hon. Dr Thérèse Coffey, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION—The Rt Hon. Gavin Williamson CBE, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon. George Eustice, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT—The Rt Hon. Robert Jenrick, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT—The Rt Hon. Grant Shapps, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND—The Rt Hon. Brandon Lewis CBE, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND—The Rt Hon. Alister Jack, MP
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES—The Rt Hon. Simon Hart, MP
LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND LORD PRIVY SEAL—The Rt Hon. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT—The Rt Hon. Oliver Dowden CBE, MP
MINISTER OF STATE, CABINET OFFICE—The Rt Hon. Lord Frost CMG
MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO—The Rt Hon. Amanda Milling, MP
DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND MINISTERS
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
The Rt Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP (Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth)
Lord Grimstone of Boscobel, Kt (Minister for Investment) §
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Nadhim Zahawi, MP §
Amanda Solloway, MP
Paul Scully, MP
Lord Callanan
Cabinet Office—
PRIME MINISTER, FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY, MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND MINISTER FOR THE UNION—
The Rt Hon. Boris Johnson, MP
CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER AND MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE—The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP
COP26 PRESIDENT—The Rt Hon. Alok Sharma, MP
MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO—The Rt Hon. Amanda Milling, MP
PAYMASTER GENERAL—The Rt Hon. Penny Mordaunt, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
The Rt Hon. Lord Frost CMG
Chloe Smith, MP (Minister for the Constitution and Devolution)
Lord Agnew of Oulton (Minister for Efficiency and Transformation) §
Lord True CBE
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES—
Julia Lopez, MP
Johnny Mercer, MP (Minister for Defence People and Veterans) §
Defence—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Ben Wallace, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
Jeremy Quin, MP (Minister for Defence Procurement)
Baroness Goldie DLii HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
James Heappey, MP (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Johnny Mercer, MP (Minister for Defence People and Veterans) §
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Oliver Dowden CBE, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
Caroline Dinenage, MP (Minister for Digital and Culture)
The Rt Hon. John Whittingdale, MP (Minister for Media and Data)
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Matt Warman, MP
Nigel Huddleston, MP §
Baroness Barran MBE
Education—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Gavin Williamson CBE, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
Michelle Donelan, MP (Minister for Universities)
The Rt Hon. Nick Gibb, MP (Minister for School Standards)
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Vicky Ford, MP
Gillian Keegan, MP
Baroness Berridge of the Vale of Catmose §
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. George Eustice, MP
MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park §
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Rebecca Pow, MP
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Victoria Prentis, MP
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office—
SECRETARY OF STATE AND FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Dominic Raab, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
The Rt Hon. James Cleverly, MP (Minister for the Middle East and North Africa)
The Rt Hon. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Minister for the Pacific and the Environment) §
Nigel Adams, MP (Minister for Asia)
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Minister for South Asia and the Commonwealth)
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
James Duddridge, MP
Wendy Morton, MP
Health and Social Care—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Matt Hancock, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
Edward Argar, MP (Minister for Health)
Helen Whately, MP (Minister for Care)
Nadine Dorries, MP (Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health)
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Jo Churchill, MP
Lord Bethell of Romford
Nadhim Zahawi, MP (Minister for Covid Vaccine Deployment) §
Home Office—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Priti Patel, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
The Rt Hon. James Brokenshire, MP (Minister for Security)
Kit Malthouse, MP (Minister for Crime and Policing) §
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Lord Greenhalgh (Minister for Building Safety and Communities) §
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Victoria Atkins, MP
Kevin Foster, MP
Chris Philp, MP §
Housing, Communities and Local Government—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Robert Jenrick, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
Luke Hall, MP (Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government)
The Rt Hon. Christopher Pincher, MP (Minister for Housing)
Lord Greenhalgh (Minister for Building Safety and Communities) §
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Eddie Hughes, MPHER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont. iii
International Trade—
SECRETARY OF STATE AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE, AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—
The Rt Hon. Elizabeth Truss, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
The Rt Hon. Greg Hands, MP (Minister for Trade Policy)
Lord Grimstone of Boscobel, Kt (Minister for Investment) §
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Graham Stuart, MP
Ranil Jayawardena, MP
Kemi Badenoch, MP (Minister for Equalities) §
Baroness Berridge of the Vale of Catmose (Minister for Women) §
Justice—
LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Robert Buckland, QC, MP
MINISTER OF STATE—Kit Malthouse, MP (Minister for Crime and Policing) §
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Alex Chalk, MP §
Chris Philp, MP §
Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, QC
Law Officers—
ATTORNEY GENERAL—The Rt Hon. Michael Ellis, QC, MP
SOLICITOR GENERAL—The Rt Hon. Lucy Frazer, QC, MP
ADVOCATE GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND—Lord Stewart of Dirleton, QC
ATTORNEY GENERAL (MINISTER ON LEAVE)—The Rt Hon. Suella Braverman, QC, MP
Leader of the House of Commons—
LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS—The Rt Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP
Leader of the House of Lords—
LORD PRIVY SEAL AND LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS—The Rt. Hon. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS—The Rt Hon. Earl Howe CBE
Northern Ireland Office—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Brandon Lewis CBE, MP
MINISTER OF STATE—Robin Walker, MP
Scotland Office—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Alister Jack, MP
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Iain Stewart, MP
David Duguid, MP §
Transport—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Grant Shapps, MP
MINISTERS OF STATE—
Chris Heaton-Harris, MP
Andrew Stephenson, MP
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Robert Courts, MP
Rachel Maclean, MP
Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Treasury—
PRIME MINISTER, FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY, MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND MINISTER FOR THE UNION—
The Rt Hon. Boris Johnson, MP
CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. Rishi Sunak, MP
CHIEF SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Stephen Barclay, MP
FINANCIAL SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Jesse Norman, MP
MINISTER OF STATE—Lord Agnew of Oulton DL (Minister for Efficiency and Transformation) §
ECONOMIC SECRETARY—John Glen, MP
EXCHEQUER SECRETARY—Kemi Badenoch, MP §
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Mark Spencer, MP
LORDS COMMISSIONERS—
James Morris, MP
Rebecca Harris, MP
David Duguid, MP §
David Rutley, MP
Maggie Throup, MP
Michael Tomlinson, MP
Scott Mann, MPiv HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.
ASSISTANT WHIPS—
Leo Docherty, MP
David T. C. Davies, MP §
Alex Chalk, MP §
Tom Pursglove, MP
Maria Caulfield, MP
Nigel Huddleston, MP §
UK Export Finance—
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE—The Rt Hon. Elizabeth Truss, MP
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Graham Stuart, MP
Wales Office—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Simon Hart, MP
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—David T. C. Davies, MP §
Work and Pensions—
SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Dr Thérèse Coffey, MP
MINISTER OF STATE—Justin Tomlinson, MP (Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work)
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE—
Mims Davies, MP
Guy Opperman, MP
Will Quince, MP
Baroness Stedman-Scott OBE, DL
Her Majesty’s Household—
LORD CHAMBERLAIN—The Rt Hon. Lord Parker of Minsmere, KCB
LORD STEWARD—The Earl of Dalhousie
MASTER OF THE HORSE—Lord de Mauley
TREASURER—The Rt Hon. Stuart Andrew, MP
COMPTROLLER—Mike Freer, MP
VICE-CHAMBERLAIN—Marcus Jones, MP
CAPTAIN OF THE HONOURABLE CORPS OF GENTLEMEN-AT-ARMS—The Rt Hon. Lord Ashton of Hyde
CAPTAIN OF THE QUEEN’S BODYGUARD OF THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD—Earl of Courtown
BARONESSES IN WAITING—
Baroness Penn
Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist
LORDS IN WAITING—
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Viscount Younger of Leckie
§ Members of the Government listed under more than one Department
SECOND CHURCH ESTATES COMMISSIONER, REPRESENTING THE CHURCH COMMISSIONERS—Andrew Selous, MP
REPRESENTING THE SPEAKER’S COMMITTEE ON THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION—Christian Matheson, MP
REPRESENTING THE SPEAKER’S COMMITTEE FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY—
Sir Charles Walker, MP
REPRESENTING THE HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION—Sir Charles Walker, MP
REPRESENTING THE PARLIAMENTARY WORKS SPONSOR BODY—The Rt Hon. Damian Hinds, MP
CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION—The Rt Hon. Sir Edward Leigh, MPHOUSE OF COMMONS
THE SPEAKER—The Rt Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP
CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—The Rt Hon. Dame Eleanor Laing, MP
FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—The Rt Hon. Dame Rosie Winterton, MP
SECOND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—The Rt Hon. Mr Nigel Evans, MP
PANEL OF CHAIRS—
Rushanara Ali, Sir David Amess, Hannah Bardell, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Peter Bone, Sir Graham Brady,
Ms Karen Buck, Sir Christopher Chope, Judith Cummins, Geraint Davies, Philip Davies, Peter Dowd,
Dame Angela Eagle, Clive Efford, Julie Elliott, Yvonne Fovargue, The Rt Hon. Sir Roger Gale,
Ms Nusrat Ghani, James Gray, Sir Mark Hendrick, Mr Philip Hollobone, The Rt Hon. Stewart Hosie,
The Rt Hon. Sir George Howarth, Dr Rupa Huq, The Rt Hon. Sir Edward Leigh, Steve McCabe,
Siobhain McDonagh, The Rt Hon. Esther McVey, The Rt Hon. Maria Miller,
The Rt Hon. David Mundell, Mrs Sheryll Murray, The Rt Hon. Caroline Nokes, Ian Paisley,
The Rt Hon. Mark Pritchard, Christina Rees, Mr Laurence Robertson, Andrew Rosindell,
Mr Virendra Sharma, Sir Gary Streeter, Graham Stringer, Derek Twigg, Sir Charles Walker
SECRETARY—Chris Stanton
HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION—
The Rt Hon. The Speaker (Chairman), Ian Ailles (Director General of the House of Commons),
Dr John Benger (Clerk of the House and Head of the House of Commons Service), Jane McCall
(External Member), Dr Rima Makarem (External Member), The Rt Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP
(Leader of the House), The Rt Hon. Valerie Vaz, MP, Sir Charles Walker, MP,
The Rt Hon. Dame Rosie Winterton, MP, Pete Wishart, MP
SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION—Marianne Cwynarski CBE
ASSISTANT SECRETARY—Robert Cope
ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATE AUDIT AND RISK ASSURANCE COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS ESTIMATE AUDIT COMMITTEE—
Dr Rima Makarem (Chair), Harriett Baldwin, MP, Mr Clive Betts, MP, Frances Done, Jane McCall,
Sir Charles Walker, MP
SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE—Hannah Bryce
COMMONS EXECUTIVE BOARD—
Dr John Benger (Clerk of the House and Head of the House of Commons Service) (Chair),
Mostaque Ahmed (Finance Director and Managing Director, Finance, Portfolio and Performance),
Ian Ailles (Director General of the House of Commons), Isabel Coman (Managing Director, In-House Services
& Estates), Marianne Cwynaski CBE (Secretary to the Commission and Managing Director of the Governance
Office), Sarah Davies (Clerk Assistant and Managing Director, Chamber and Participation), Mandy Eddolls
(Managing Director, People and Culture), Alison Giles (Director of Security for Parliament), Tracey Jessup
(UK Parliament Chief Digital and Information Officer), Colin Lee (Managing Director, Select Committee Team),
Saira Salimi (Speaker’s Counsel), Penny Young (Librarian and Managing Director, Research and Information)
SECRETARY TO THE BOARD—Katharine Williams
SPEAKER’S SECRETARY—Helen Wood
SPEAKER’S COUNSEL—Saira Salimi
SPEAKER’S CHAPLAIN—The Rev. Canon Patricia Hillas
PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR STANDARDS—Kathryn Stone
Monday 12 April 2021THE
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
OFFICIAL REPORT
IN THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-EIGHTH PARLIAMENT OF THE
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
[WHICH OPENED 17 DECEMBER 2019]
SEVENTIETH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
SIXTH SERIES VOLUME 692
TWENTY-FOURTH VOLUME OF SESSION 2019-2021
House of Commons His passing also marks the end of an era. He was one
of the last surviving heroes of the second world war,
serving as an officer in the Royal Navy with distinction,
and was heavily decorated for his bravery and long
Monday 12 April 2021
service. A qualified pilot, he gained his helicopter wings,
became admiral of the fleet for over 50 years and helped
The House met at half-past Two o’clock to design the royal yacht Britannia. He visited troops
in Iraq, travelled with the Queen throughout the
Commonwealth and overseas territories, and stepped
PRAYERS down from official royal duties only at the age of 96.
Outspoken, with a great sense of humour, he was not
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair] afraid of talking openly about issues that were close to
him. He will be remembered for his loyal devotion to
Virtual participation in proceedings commenced (Orders,
service and his leadership of hundreds of causes close
4 June and 30 December 2020).
to his heart. Perhaps his finest achievement was the
[NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which has helped millions
of young people around the world to achieve their full
His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, potential as team members and future leaders in their
Duke of Edinburgh chosen fields. As a moderniser and public reformer, he
promoted the latest in engineering and design. As a
pioneer in the World Wildlife Fund, he travelled widely
2.34 pm to secure public interest in nature and its protection.
Mr Speaker: I invite the House to rise and observe a His sporting interests were wide-ranging. As a sailor,
minute’s silence in memory of His Royal Highness The he regularly attended Cowes week for the regatta. He
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. was a cricket enthusiast and player. He also took part in
The House observed a minute’s silence. horse riding and performed as a top polo player. He was
a winner for Britain, too, at carriage driving, which he
2.35 pm took up later in life.
Mr Speaker: We meet today to pay tribute to the Duke In March 2011, the Duke accompanied the Queen to
of Edinburgh, who has been at the side of Her Majesty Parliament for the diamond jubilee celebrations. I had
the Queen for more than seven decades, giving his the pleasure of introducing him to groups of Members
unwavering support both as a husband and as a consort. waiting to greet him. I remember his interest in ties that
Described by Her Majesty as “my strength and stay”, Members were wearing, particularly if they showed a
for most of us Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has connection with the armed forces. He also had a special
always been there, providing this nation with a reassuring ability to put people at ease.
presence. Whether he was attending with such dignity As we reflect on a life well lived, we should not forget
the formal occasions when the Queen attended Parliament the wide-ranging achievements of Prince Philip: the
for the state opening, or visiting different places within ambassador, serviceman, scientist, artist, naturalist,
the UK or in an overseas country, his support and committee chairman, traveller and loyal supporter of
loyalty were always clearly displayed. He was the longest the United Kingdom, the overseas territories and the
serving consort in history and the oldest partner of a Commonwealth. But we should always remember him
serving monarch. He never let the Queen down. as a family man: a devoted husband, a father, a grandfather3 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 12 APRIL 2021 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 4
Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh
[Mr Speaker] children had benefited from taking part in his Duke of
Edinburgh Award schemes. I will leave it to the House
and a great-grandfather. He was, without doubt, the father to speculate on who claimed to have got a gold award,
of the nation. He will surely be missed and impossible and who a bronze, but I believe that those Ministers
to replace. spoke for millions around the world and across this
country who felt that the Duke had in some way touched
2.39 pm their lives—people whose work he supported in the
course of an astonishing 22,219 public engagements;
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson): I beg to move, people he encouraged and people, yes, whom he amused.
That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty expressing It is true that he occasionally drove a coach and horses
the deepest sympathies of this House on the death of His Royal through the finer points of diplomatic protocol, and he
Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the heartfelt coined a new word—dontopedalogy—for the experience
thanks of this House and this nation for his unfailing dedication of putting your foot in your mouth. It is also true that,
to this Country and the Commonwealth exemplified in his
distinguished service in the Royal Navy in the Second World War; among his more parliamentary expressions, he commented
his commitment to young people in setting up the Duke of adversely on the French concept of breakfast; he told a
Edinburgh’s Award, a scheme which has touched the lives of British student in Papua New Guinea that he was lucky
millions across the globe; his early, passionate commitment to the not to be eaten, and the people of the Cayman Islands
environment; and his unstinting support to Your Majesty throughout that they were descended from pirates; and he said that
his life. he would like to go to Russia except that, as he put it,
It is fitting that on Saturday, His Royal Highness the “the bastards murdered half my family.”
Duke of Edinburgh will be conveyed to his final resting But the world did not hold it against him. On the
place in a Land Rover which Prince Philip designed contrary, they overwhelmingly understood that he was
himself, with a long wheelbase and capacious rear cabin, trying to break the ice, to get things moving and to get
because that vehicle’s unique and idiosyncratic silhouette people laughing and forget their nerves. To this day,
reminds the world that he was above all a practical man, there is a community in the Pacific Islands that venerates
who could take something very traditional, whether a Prince Philip as a god, or a volcano spirit—a conviction
machine or, indeed, a great national institution, and that was actually strengthened when a group came to
find a way, by his own ingenuity, to improve it, to adapt London to have tea with him in person. When he spoke
it for the 20th and 21st centuries. so feelingly about the problems of overpopulation,
That gift for innovation was apparent from his earliest humanity’s relentless incursion on the natural world
career in the Navy. When he served in the second world and the consequent destruction of habitat and species,
war, he was mentioned in dispatches for his he contrived to be at once politically incorrect and also
“alertness and appreciation of the situation” ahead of his time.
during the battle of Cape Matapan, and he played a In a quite unparalleled career of advice, encouragement
crucial role in helping to sink two enemy cruisers. But it and support, he provided one particular service that I
was later, during the invasion of Sicily, that he was believe we in the House know in our hearts was the very
especially remembered by his crewmates for what he did greatest of all. In the constant love he gave to Her
to save their own ship. In a moment of high danger, at Majesty the Queen as her
night, when HMS Wallace was vulnerable to being “liege man of life and limb”,
blown up by enemy planes, he improvised a floating in the words he spoke at the coronation, he sustained
decoy, complete with fires to make it look like a stricken her throughout this extraordinary second Elizabethan
British vessel, so that the Wallace was able to slip away age—now the longest reign of any monarch in our history.
and the enemy took out the decoy. It was typical of him that, in wooing Her Majesty
He was there at Tokyo bay in 1945, barely 200 yards —famously not short of a jewel or two—he offered
from the Japanese surrender on the deck of USS Missouri, jewellery of his own design. He dispensed with the footmen
but he was not content just to watch history through his in powdered wigs. He introduced television cameras,
binoculars. It seemed that he used the lull to get on with and at family picnics in Balmoral, he would barbecue
repainting the hull of HMS Whelp, and throughout his the sausages on a large metal contraption that all Prime
life—a life that was of necessity wrapped from such a Ministers must have goggled at for decades, complete with
young age in symbol and ceremony—one can see that rotisserie and compartments for the sauces, and that was,
same instinct to look for what was most useful and most once again, a product of his own invention and creation.
practical and what would take things forward. Indeed, as an advocate of skills, craft, science and
He was one of the first people in this country to use a technology, this country has had no royal champion to
mobile phone. In the 1970s, he was driving an electric match him since Prince Albert, and I know that in due
taxi on the streets of London—the forerunner of the course, the House and the country will want to consider
modern low-carbon fleet—again, a vehicle of his own a suitable memorial to Prince Philip. It is with that same
specifications. He was not content just to be a carriage spirit of innovation that, as co-gerent of the royal
driver. He played a large part in pioneering and codifying family, he shaped and protected the monarchy through
the sport of competitive carriage driving. If it is true all the vicissitudes of the last seven decades and helped
that carriage driving is not a mass-participation sport—not to modernise and continually to adapt an institution
yet—he had other novel ideas that touched the lives of that is above politics, that incarnates our history and
millions, and developed their character and confidence, that is indisputably vital to the balance and happiness
their teamwork and self-reliance. of our national life.
It was amazing and instructive to listen on Friday to By his tireless, unstinting service to the Queen, the
the Cabinet’s tributes to the Duke and to hear how Commonwealth, the armed forces, the environment,
many Ministers were proud to say that they or their millions of young people and not so young people5 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 12 APRIL 2021 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 6
Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh
around the world and countless other causes, he gave us Arts, and he was chancellor of the Universities of
and gives us all a model of selflessness and of putting Cambridge, Edinburgh, Salford and Wales. He carried
others before ourselves. Though I suspect that he might out, as has been said, a staggering total of more than
be embarrassed or even faintly exasperated to receive 22,000 solo engagements, and countless others alongside
these tributes, he made this country a better place, and Her Majesty the Queen.
for that he will be remembered with gratitude and with The Duke will also be remembered for his unstinting
fondness for generations to come. support of our armed forces. It was in Dartmouth in
1940 that he graduated as a naval cadet. As the Prime
2.49 pm Minister has described, he went on to a distinguished
Keir Starmer (Holborn and St Pancras) (Lab): In naval career. Today, the British armed forces mourn one
supporting the Humble Address, I would like to echo of their greatest champions.
the remarks made by the Prime Minister and, on behalf The Duke was a funny, engaging, warm and loving
of my party, to come together today in appreciation of man. He loved to paint. His work has been described,
a life well lived, a life of service and of duty, and a life characteristically, as
that shaped modern Britain and provided much needed “totally direct, no hanging about. Strong colours, vigorous
stability to our national story. brushstrokes.”
My thoughts, first and foremost, are with Her Majesty He was also a great lover of political cartoons—not
the Queen and the royal family. Prince Philip was a man something the Prime Minister and I can say often,
of many titles—Duke of Edinburgh, Lord High Admiral, although I saw a cartoon this weekend that I think
a royal Commander, Baron of Greenwich—but above captured this moment of national and personal loss
all he was a much loved father, grandfather and great- perfectly. It depicted Her Majesty dressed in black,
grandfather. To Her Majesty the Queen he was not only looking back at her shadow and seeing the Duke standing
her beloved husband, but, in her words, her “strength there, as ever at her side, attentive and holding her
and stay” for seven decades, so it is right that, today, this hand.
House and the country come together to pay tribute not Britain will not be the same in the Duke’s absence.
just to a man, but to the virtues he personified, and to For most of us, there has never been a time when the
his ceaseless optimism about the country Britain can be Duke of Edinburgh was not present. At every stage of
and what the British people can achieve. our national story for the last seven decades, he has
The life of Prince Philip was extraordinary, lived in a been there, a symbol of the nation we hope to be at our
century on fast-forward and a time that saw world war, best, a source of stability, a rock.
a cold war, the fall of empire, 20 Prime Ministers, Her Majesty once said:
and the invention of the television, the internet, artificial “Grief is the price we pay for love.”
intelligence and technology so extraordinary it might The Duke loved this country and Britain loved him in
have seemed to a lesser person as if from another world. return. That is why we grieve today. But we must also
Throughout that time, the monarchy has been the one celebrate him: a life lived in vigorous brushstrokes, like
institution in which the faith of the British people has his painting, and we offer up this tribute, “To the Duke
never faltered. As we have seen once again in recent days, of Edinburgh, for a lifetime of public service, the gold
the royal family has a connection with the British people award.”
that runs as deep today as it did when Philip Mountbatten
married the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947. That is not Mr Speaker: I now call the Father of the House.
by chance; it reflects the quiet virtues, the discipline and
the sacrifices we commemorate today. 2.56 pm
My own connection to the Duke of Edinburgh began Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): Prince
long before I entered this place. Like millions of other Philip would have laughed at the Leader of the Opposition’s
children, I—aged 14—started the Duke of Edinburgh jest about finding a compass and comparing that with
Award scheme, or the DofE, as we called it. My first politics. The Leader of the Opposition, following the
activity was to volunteer at a local mental health hospital Prime Minister’s excellent speech, also spoke about
where, unbeknown to me at the time, my late grandad the titles that the Duke of Edinburgh held. One was
would later be admitted. My final activity was wandering “the Maharaja of Not Very Much”. That is a translation
around Dartmoor in a small team, with a compass and of a title given to him by Sir Reggie Bennett MP when,
a map in the pouring rain, frantically trying to find our at the Thursday Club, Prince Philip volunteered to join
way. Mr Speaker, if that doesn’t prepare you for coming the Imperial Poona Yacht Club, to which I will return
into politics, nothing will. later.
In recent days, I have been struck by the countless There have been fair and full tributes in many of our
stories of lives turned around by the DofE Award—young papers. I pay tribute to the journalists, who, from a
people who found their confidence and found their way. standing start have managed to go on providing interesting
This was summed up by a 14-year-old girl who said, on reading. I mention, not as the best but as some of the
passing her bronze award, that she felt: most recent examples, articles by Alice Thomson and
“I can do anything now.” Libby Purves in The Times today.
The DofE Award now covers 130 countries and has For those who think that only the House of Commons
helped millions of people around the world. It is perhaps is having such a sitting, I point out that the House of
the best symbol of the Duke’s global legacy. He was also Lords has had some really good speeches including those
patron to more than 800 charities and organisations. He by, to mention just a few, Lord Boyce, Lord Alderdice,
was the first president of the World Wildlife Fund. He Lord Janvrin and Lord Dholakia. I hope that what we
was the patron of the British Heart Foundation. He was say here will be of interest to those who pay attention to
president of the British Academy of Film and Television proceedings in Parliament.7 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 12 APRIL 2021 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 8
Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh
[Sir Peter Bottomley] great-grandfather—a man who was at the very centre of
their family life. As with every death, following the
In your House, Mr Speaker, Prince Charles observed funeral, that loss and absence will be felt all the more. It
to George Thomas, later Lord Tonypandy, that if the is right that we seek to remember and respect that loss
Duke of Edinburgh or he never said anything interesting, and the need for private mourning in the days, weeks
they were accused of being dull, and if they were not and months ahead.
dull, they were accused of being controversial. Each was When it comes to reflecting on the life of Prince
willing to lead on issues that were not already fashionable Philip, there is no shortage of material. His was a
or dominant among popular concerns. In 1952, on the remarkable life packed full of experience and involvement
death of his father-in-law, Prince Philip became patron spanning diverse communities and continents. That life
of the Industrial Society, which followed on from the and those experiences were made possible by probably
Duke of York camps. That then developed No. 3 Carlton his most defining trait—a devotion to duty.
House Terrace, for a time called Peter Ranch House,
which is now known as Prince Philip House and is the Already today in this Chamber and across the airwaves
headquarters of the Royal Academy of Engineering. In for the past few days, there have been great insights into
developing the fellowship of engineers and later the that long life and the period of history in which he had
Royal Academy, Prince Philip gave attention and paid a presence or a part. From military service to the
tribute to the successful endeavours of many people promotion of environmental causes or his patronage of
who should be considered as important as those who more than 800 organisations, there is a long and lasting
studied economics, politics or the classics. legacy on which to reflect. It would be impossible to
encapsulate all of it in any remarks so instead I will
Prince Philip was guest of honour at the Taxi Charity’s focus my remarks on the Duke’s deep connection to
1979 visit to Worthing, and, with Her Majesty the Scotland. That connection came before and went way
Queen, at Durrington High School in 1999, he met all beyond a royal title that contained our capital city of
kinds of members of the community. It is the sort of Edinburgh. It was a connection that stretched right
engagement that matters a lot in each of our constituencies. across his entire life from childhood to old age. As a
We remember that they did that in all constituencies, all child, he attended school at Gordonstoun. It was there
over the country. that he established many of his interests and hobbies
I referred to Reggie Bennett. He is quoted as saying that would stay with him. In those early years, he made
that the Imperial Poona Yacht Club had 25 really his mark as an athlete in cricket and in hockey, captaining
excellent sailing members and that Prince Philip was an the school teams and becoming head boy of the school.
honorary member, which was a back-handed compliment
The Duke’s love of the sea first found its spark in
to one of the best sailors around. In the foreword to the
Scotland, where he frequently went on school trips,
book of the club’s history—I will conclude with this, as
sailing around the coast of Scotland. His affection for
it is quite a long quotation—Prince Philip wrote that
his time at Gordonstoun is obviously demonstrated by
“it is true that all the members are serious yachtsmen in the sense the fact that he sent all his sons there in later years. He
that they are rather good at it, but what is equally important is
that they all share a keen appreciation of the value of anti-seriousness. also remained a regular visitor—most recently in 2014
If you can bring yourself to read this book from cover to cover, to mark Gordonstoun’s 80th anniversary. That link
you will be in a position to judge for yourself whether or not life with Scotland and the highlands only grew and deepened
can be significantly improved by not taking it too seriously all the after his marriage to Queen Elizabeth. The love they
time.” have for Balmoral castle has been evident for years and
their presence there is now part of the fabric of that
3 pm local community. Whether it was his attendance at the
Ian Blackford (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (SNP): Let Braemar Gathering, a highland tradition that has been
me begin by echoing the warm and thoughtful words of ongoing for the best part of 900 years, or his presence at
the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and, Crathie kirk, Balmoral became an enduring part of
indeed, the Father of the House, who have spoken their life together. Despite his ailing health, it is very
before me. telling that he still made the effort to make his final
Since the news emerged last Friday of Prince Philip’s journey to Balmoral as recently as last August.
death, the time has been filled with genuine sorrow right For many people, I suspect that the most memorable
across these islands. For myself and for the people and impactful legacy that Prince Philip leaves is the
throughout Scotland, our thoughts and prayers remain scheme that he lent his title to—the Duke of Edinburgh
with the entire royal family, but most especially with Award. Once again, the Scottish connection with the
Her Majesty the Queen. For most people, the response scheme could not be clearer. It was inspired by the
and the reaction have been very simple and purely Moray badge, created by Dr Kurt Hahn, the founder of
human. We collectively grieve for a wife who has lost Gordonstoun, with the intention of giving a sense of
her husband, a mother who has lost her life partner and responsibility. The tasks in the scheme, from volunteering
her constant companion after a remarkable 73 years of to outdoor expeditions and personal development, have
marriage. helped community and educational organisations for
In the past few days, across our institutions and generations. Since its inception in 1956, it is truly incredible
across the media, there has been a very public marking to reflect that more than 6 million people have undertaken
and mourning of the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh. the Duke of Edinburgh Award in the UK. However, its
These tributes have come from every corner of the world. reach did not stop there, with more than 130 countries
I am very conscious, though, that the scale of public participating in the international award across the globe.
commemoration does not diminish the depth of private The Duke was a very hands-on patron, and he personally
grief. At the very heart of this is a family grieving the attended the scheme’s award ceremonies, presenting
loss of a beloved husband, a father, a grandfather and a his 500th gold award in 2013 at St James’s Palace.9 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 12 APRIL 2021 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 10
Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh
That emphasis and commitment that Prince Philip placed He was deeply interested, he cared, and he understood
on the value of education was a mainstay of his life. The the importance of getting to know the issues that he
Duke was appointed chancellor of the University of was involved in. He was indeed a man ahead of his time,
Edinburgh in 1953, and served in that role for almost particularly in the areas of the environment and
60 years. During that long period, he took a particularly conservation, but that was not a passing whim. He deeply
keen interest in scientific development, and was a regular loved the natural world; he understood nature; and he
at graduation ceremonies. He only retired in 2010, and I was passionate about wanting future generations to be
know that the staff and students at the university also able to enjoy and benefit from the natural world, too.
valued the role and the time he willingly gave. I remember, on my first visit to Balmoral as Prime
It has also been noted in recent days that Prince Philip Minister, Prince Philip driving me and my husband
took a keen interest in Scottish architecture. There are around the estate and talking to us about it. It was as if
memorable photographs circulating of when the Prince he knew every single inch of it. He talked about the
joined the Queen to open the Forth road bridge in 1964. ancient Caledonian forest, about the birds, many of
They were the first people to cross the link between the which were protected, about the animals and plants on
kingdom of Fife and that great city of Edinburgh, and the estate, about the changes he had seen over the years,
that enduring interest in the Forth crossing was replicated and about what was needed to ensure that the environment
some 50 years later, when he made a private visit to see could be protected and enjoyed by future generations.
the construction of the Queensferry crossing. Once again He was indeed a man ahead of his time. He showed his
alongside the Queen, they became the first people to deep knowledge, but he was also an immensely practical
cross the new bridge after it officially opened in 2017. I person.
know that political campaigning remains suspended, He was also a man of high standards. That did
but I am sure that Members opposite will forgive me for indeed come through in his attention to detail in the
saying that I am pretty sure Prince Philip would have cooking of the meat at the Balmoral barbecues. But I
appreciated that the bridge was delivered on time and also remember a black tie event, hosted by the then
under budget. mayor of the royal borough of Windsor and Maidenhead,
Perhaps people’s most lasting memories of the Duke which Prince Philip was coming down from Windsor
were of the informality he often brought to very formal castle to attend, but probably for no more than half an
occasions. Throughout the years, I think it is fair to say hour. Now, some people might have said, “You’ll have
that he was not a man for drizzling honey on his words. to take me as you find me, so I’ll just turn up and that
That trait equally applied to the advice he gave, and will be it,” but he dressed immaculately in black tie. He
there is one memorable piece of advice he gave on the took the time and trouble because he had high standards,
length of speeches, which I dare say some Members but also because he respected the event and the people
might even think applies to myself. He advised: attending, and he wanted them to be at their ease.
“The mind cannot absorb what the backside cannot endure.” I remember my last day at Balmoral. My husband
With that timeless piece of advice from the Duke of and I, as everybody knows, enjoy walking. Prince Philip
Edinburgh, I shall bring my remarks to a close. In doing had very kindly suggested a particular walk, so we were
so, though, I again convey the condolences of myself, grateful for the suggestion and set off. When we got
my party, and people right across Scotland to the Queen back to the castle, several hours later, we were told that
and to the entire royal family. By any standard—by any Prince Philip did indeed enjoy this walk, but normally
measure—Prince Philip lived a long, energetic and full he drove around it in a car. I am not sure whether it was
life. May he now rest in peace. a test—and, if it was, whether we passed it. On that last
visit, when we went to say our farewells, initially we
could not find Prince Philip. When I eventually caught
3.7 pm up with him, he was watching the cricket. How I would
Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead) (Con): I join with have loved to have stayed and watched the cricket with
the Prime Minister and everyone across this House in him.
sending my heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty the I am a Berkshire MP, and in Berkshire we feel a
Queen on the death of His Royal Highness The Prince particular connection with the royal family. Prince Philip
Philip. Our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty set up the Prince Philip Trust Fund, which provides
and the whole royal family. grants to individuals and causes in the royal borough of
In recent days, there have been many tributes to Windsor and Maidenhead, and many of my constituents
Prince Philip: some from those who knew him well, will have benefited from that trust fund. Among the
some from those who had barely met him, and some causes it focuses on are young people, and this is reflected,
from those who had never met him, but whose lives he as others have said, in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
had touched. I had the privilege of meeting him and scheme. It is one of his particular legacies that he had
having a number of conversations with him. He was a this passion for enabling young people to find themselves,
truly remarkable man; a man of so many talents. We challenge themselves, broaden their horizons and develop
have heard some of them referred to already today: a what are, for some, life-changing skills.
distinguished naval officer, an inventor, an innovator, a Millions across the world have much to be grateful to
designer, a painter, a sportsman, and so much else. him for, but perhaps the most important aspect of his
What always struck me when he spoke, when I was life was his absolute commitment to supporting Her
having those conversations with him, was not just the Majesty the Queen. It is in no way comparable, but I do
incredible breadth and wide range of interests that he know how important it is to have a husband—a partner—
had, but the depth of knowledge that he had about each who is a source of strength and a rock in times of trouble.
of those interests. He did not just dip into a subject; he As a hugely talented person, Prince Philip could have
did not pick something up because it was fashionable. been enormously successful in his own right, but he put11 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 12 APRIL 2021 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 12
Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh
[Mrs Theresa May] himself second. It takes a remarkable man to be a
leader, but an even more remarkable man to support a
his life to ensuring the success of his wife. It was that woman leader, and that is what Prince Philip did.
willingness to put himself second and to serve, to understand When we hear the Queen speak, we know that she always
the importance of duty and to exercise it day in, day weighs her words carefully. What she said at their golden
out, that will be his true lasting legacy, and that should wedding anniversary in 1997 was that Prince Philip had,
be an inspiration to us all. “quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.”
All of us here in the UK and across the Commonwealth What a loss it is for her to lose that husband, that
have so much to be grateful to him for, and we say thank partner, her liege man of life and limb. We rightly pay
you. He understood the requirements of responsibility, tribute to Prince Philip’s work on the environment,
the demands of duty and the sacrifices of service. We young people, our armed forces, and much else besides.
will never see his like again. May he rest in peace and He did his work, but, above all, he enabled the Queen to
rise in glory. do hers. For that he deserves our recognition and gratitude.
He served this country by serving his Queen.
Mr Speaker: We will now hear from the Mother of
the House, the right hon. and learned Harriet Harman.
3.17 pm
3.13 pm Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet) (Con): I am very
grateful indeed to have the opportunity to place on the
Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham) (Lab):
record, on behalf of my constituency, the huge appreciation
I am grateful for the opportunity to add my tribute to
that we all share for the life and service of His Royal
the powerful speeches that have already been made to
Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. We
celebrate the life and role of the Duke of Edinburgh.
also place on the record our condolences to Her Majesty
For more than 70 years, he was at the heart of the royal
the Queen, and to all the royal family, about which
family, that most historic and traditional of British
much has already been said. The bottom line is that we
institutions. Yet, as has been said, in many ways he was
are talking about a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather,
ahead of his time.
and most of all, a devoted husband.
He was ahead of his time on the environment. This
It is inevitable on these occasions that there will be a
year the UK will host the 26th United Nations climate
degree of repetition, but I wish to return to the award
change conference, amidst the recognition here and
scheme to which the Duke of Edinburgh gave his name.
globally of its importance. Yet more than five decades
At the weekend I spoke with David Walker who, for
ago, he was urging us, with clarity and foresight, to
30 years, was chairman of the Thanet award scheme.
understand how all living creatures on this planet are
He received his gold award in 1966 at Holyrood from
interdependent. These views were so much ahead of
the Duke of Edinburgh. I also spoke with Stephen Dyke
their time that they were met by some with derision.
from east Kent. Stephen received his gold award this
He was ahead of his time on young people, with the year by post—inevitably, because of the circumstances
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, recognising the we face. I said to Stephen, “Weren’t you disappointed?”,
interconnection of physical and mental wellbeing as a and he said, “No. It didn’t matter who gave it to me;
route for young people to develop to their full potential. what mattered was the achievement and the fact that I
One of the many success stories of the Duke of Edinburgh’s won the award.”
Award is the work that goes on at Westminster House
David and Stephen, generations apart, echo the thoughts
youth club in my constituency of Camberwell and
and sentiments of so many of my young constituents
Peckham. It gets more black and minority ethnic young
and those represented by colleagues in the House, who
people through the award than almost anywhere else.
have been through the bronze, silver and gold awards.
Many of those young people have had a difficult start in
To a man and a woman, they all say, “It has changed my
life or have not thrived at school, yet through the Duke
life.” As Stephen said to me, “There is nothing—nothing—
of Edinburgh’s Award they find a route to self-confidence
that I feel I cannot now achieve.” We in this House owe
and success.
it to the memory of the Duke of Edinburgh, who gave
The Duke of Edinburgh was ahead of his time as a his name to the scheme, to ensure that it is not allowed
husband. One of the remarkable things about Prince to wither on the vine but goes forward, prospers and
Philip is that he chose, in his marriage, to put himself moves from strength to strength.
second and make his central role in life that of supporting
It has already been said that the Duke of Edinburgh
his wife in her role as the Queen. He sought never to
was way ahead of his time in his concern for wildlife
eclipse her, only to support her. Way back half way
and habitat, and that is absolutely true. Many of us on
through the last century, that was profoundly counter-
both sides of the House take a keen interest in those
cultural. The expectation was that to be a man was to be
issues now; I only wish we had all been listening to him
head of the family, and particularly in the public domain
50 years ago, because we might not be where we are.
it was the man who would play the leading role, and the
wife who would support him. If that—sadly—still remains Mr Speaker, you mentioned in your opening remarks
largely true today, how much more of an iron rule it was the Duke’s interest in ties. My wife reminded me at the
70 years ago. His decision to give up what would have weekend that when I was introduced to him, his only
been a glittering career in the Navy, and to make it his comment was, “That’s a very loud tie.” Colleagues who
duty to support his wife in her role, took him into know the tie of the Wooden Spoon Society will understand
uncharted territory and left him exposed. For if he was that he was absolutely right.
not the head of the family, what did that make him? I would like to place on record the thanks of the
There was no reassuring recognition that he was no less armed forces parliamentary scheme for the very considerable
of a man for what he did in putting the Queen first, and interest that Prince Philip took in its work. You will13 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 12 APRIL 2021 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, 14
Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh
remember, Mr Speaker, that it was not so very long ago Remembrance Sunday as well as Paddy did, with his
that he found the time to make presentations in your royal marine heel-click. Paddy also wrote in his memoirs
state apartments to graduates of the scheme. With about a state banquet for the King of Malaysia. After
typically robust language, he reminded us that provision dinner, the Duke was touring the room and came to
for the future defence of the realm lies in our hands. speak to Paddy. Well briefed as always, he asked Paddy
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said that he why he had learnt Malay. Paddy writes: “I told him I’d
hoped we would think of a fitting commemoration of been in the Commando Brigade in Singapore as a
the Duke’s life. I can think of no finer tribute than bachelor and had discovered that in Malay
naming the new royal yacht The Duke of Edinburgh. “there was one word...which meant ‘Let’s take off our clothes and
tell dirty stories’”,
3.22 pm So how could I resist learning Malay? The Duke roared
with laughter and followed up with some pretty salty
Ed Davey (Kingston and Surbiton) (LD): Princess jokes, including a very fruity one about wanting a pee in
Anne said yesterday: China. Much giggling.”
“You know it is going to happen but you are never really A state banquet also features in an anecdote from the
ready.” former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. He recalls
That is a truth shared by so many grieving families. how he went to a state banquet for the Spanish King,
Most people know that their loved one is near the end not in his own right but as the husband of Miriam
of their life because they are old or very sick, but that González Durántez. At the reception, Nick explained
does not mean that they can avoid the tidal wave of to the Duke that was merely accompanying Miriam.
grief—that moment of finality. This year more than The Duke replied: “I know the feeling.”
most so many families have faced that moment, so I am There can be no doubt, for the Queen has said it
sure that the Princess Royal speaks for not just the herself, that the Duke was far more than a companion.
Queen and the royal family but the whole country: you He was a man who should be celebrated in his own
are never really ready. right—for his courage, so evident in his war record; for
However, as people grieve, we can also say thank you— his foresight, so marvellous in the championing of
thank you to one of Britain’s greatest public servants of young people across the world; and for his determination
the last 100 years. As other party leaders have said, to show real leadership on the environment. He was
Prince Philip has been a rock in the life of our nation not, as he described himself,
since his betrothal to our Queen, then the young Princess “a discredited Balkan prince of no particular merit or distinction”;
Elizabeth. Above all, he has always been her rock. After
he was special—a man who brought all his amazing
73 years of marriage, it will be our Queen who feels this
European ancestry to the service of our country. Britain’s
loss far more than anyone else. If anyone says that
special monarchy has been made more special thanks to
bereavement is easier when a loved one has lived a long
Prince Philip. As we thank him for his unique service,
life, I have to say that that is not my experience. So,
let us thank him above all for the wisdom, counsel,
ma’am, our hearts go out to you.
friendship and love he gave to our Queen.
Thankfully, there are so many wonderful memories
to comfort the Queen and the nation. We have already
heard about many of the Duke’s contributions to our 3.28 pm
public life. I would mention his role as president of the Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford
Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, for Green) (Con): I rise to extend my condolences to Her
nearly 59 years. It was there that he helped to lead the Majesty the Queen on the death of her liege man of life
major wave of British and global environmentalism and and limb, who was her husband, a father, grandfather
conservation, and where his commitment to British industry and great-grandfather, and a remarkable man.
and design was so remarkable. As the Prime Minister
He was talented in his own right, as we have heard
said, it is fitting that his coffin will be carried in a
and read so much in the last few days, at many things
specially adapted Land Rover that he himself designed.
that I suspect many of us had no idea he did. I try to
I spoke to the Prince briefly on two occasions many paint, and I understand what it is to be described as
years ago, once when he came to my school and once adequate, but I have to tell anyone who does not paint
when I went to his palace at Saint James’s, as one of the yet that they have something to discover—that even
millions of young people lucky enough to have taken getting the right colours in the right place at the right
part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. To be time is, as far I am concerned, brilliant. We have discovered
at the palace that day, I had hiked round Kinder Scout, that he had all these elements and talents, and did so
camped in Snowdonia and got lost in the Cheviots. For many things, and was not just innovative, designing his
the gold award, among much else, one has to learn a own machinery, but just had that intelligence, drive and
new skill. When the Duke came to my group, he asked leadership. From the armed forces, through hundreds of
us what new skill we had learnt. I told him proudly that charities and so many thousands of public events, the
I had learnt to drive. So the Duke asked, “With four or Duke of Edinburgh added much distinction throughout.
six horses?” He pretended to be surprised when I said, He brought distinction to all that he did, even if it was
“No, Sir, a car.” telling business leaders to pull their fingers out, saying it
I have spoken to several people in preparing my was quite clear the UK needed business leaders who
words today. Lady Ashdown, Jane, kindly shared her actually led and actually produced something people
late, great husband’s experience of the Duke. As a former wanted to buy. He was quick to spot that was missing—it
royal marine, Paddy bonded well with the longest ever was not about the people working in the businesses, but
serving captain general of the Royal Marines. The Duke about the people not leading them properly—and that
said that no other politician had ever laid a wreath on was considered quite outrageous.You can also read
