Lord Speaker addresses President of Singapore

President Tan, thank you.

In his words of welcome, Mr Speaker noted the friendship that exists between our two nations. Singapore is not only a friend of the United Kingdom but also a partner in the Commonwealth. We share common values, not least among which, is a belief that people of different ethnicities can live harmoniously with one another.

Singapore, like the United Kingdom and in particular London, is a melting pot of people from different countries, cultures, and creeds. Your country is a creative mix of Chinese, Malays, and Indians; of Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Taoists and Hindus and of many more.

Perhaps a small part of this multi-cultural ethos can be attributed to the approach adopted by Sir Stamford Raffles, whose statue in Westminster Abbey I know you visited earlier this afternoon. Sir Stamford was determined to establish a city, rather than just a port and trading centre. So he established schools and churches, working in the native languages. Missionaries were encouraged and, ahead of his time, he opposed slavery and forced labour. He introduced a police force, courts, and land registration: some of the basic instruments of the rule of law.And it was the certainty provided by this legal framework that allowed the city to prosper then, and to still do so today.

I know that your MPs are great contributors to the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and your Commonwealth scholars have distinguished themselves at youth parliamentary events here. I am sure that the progress that Singapore has made in enshrining human rights will continue, and I hope that it will provide occasions for further exchanges between our Parliaments.

I am delighted that a key theme of the growing links between our countries is research and development. Many scientific disciplines are represented in the House of Lords, and I know from our frequent debates on issues related to science and technology that we are in an age where the major breakthroughs and innovation arise from inter-disciplinary, inter-university and, increasingly, international partnerships. And such innovation has the potential to generate economic development, and improve the quality of life, for citizens of Singapore, of the United Kingdom and indeed of the entire world.

Mr President, it is quite possible that a visitor from fifty years ago would not recognise the modern Singapore, with its almost futuristic skyline and the ever-changing reclaimed coastline. But, as you prepare to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of independence next year, I am sure they would recognise some of Singapore’s enduring characteristics, including: energy, creativity, ambition and global outreach.

Mr President, thank you for addressing us here today, and may I wish you, your family and your delegation a very fruitful visit.

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