5 DECEMBER 1947, Page 5

It is unusual for extracts from the proces - verbal of the

French National Assembly to be reproduced in the Journal of the House of Commons (an official publication whose very existence is un- familiar to most people) but it was most proper that details of the Speaker's reception at the Palais Bourbon last week should be put on permanent record here in that way. One interesting feature is the gradation of the tumultuosity, if I may so put it, of the applause. M. Herriot, President of the Assembly, spoke of the honour of re- ceiving Col. Clifton-Brown (Les deputes se levent et applaudissent longuement). He expressed to him the warmest friendship of France for the Speaker, the House of Commons and the whole Parliament and the. great British people (Vifs applaudissements sur tous les bancs). Then M. Schuman. the Prime Minister, said his piece, which, naturally enough was very like M. Herriot's piece (Applau- dissements a gauche, au centre et a droite). Clearly a very handsome performance.

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