§ Message from His Majesty [29th June] considered.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe following is the Message which it is my duty to read:
The Emergency Powers Act, 1920, having enacted that if it appears to His Majesty that any action has been taken or is immediately threatened by any persons or body of persons of such a nature and on so extensive a scale as to be calculated, by interfering with the supply and distribution of food, water, fuel, light or with the means of locomotion, to deprive the community, or any substantial portion of the community, of the essentials of life, His Majesty may, by proclamation, declare that a state of emergency exists: and the cessation of work in certain sections of the dock industry having, in His Majesty's opinion, constituted a state of emergency within the meaning of the said Act:
His Majesty has deemed it proper, by proclamation made in pursuance of the said Act and dated the twenty-eighth day of June, nineteen hundred and forty-eight, to declare that a state of emergency exists.
§ The Prime MinisterI beg to move,
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, thanking His Majesty for His Most Gracious Message, communicating to this House that His Majesty has deemed it proper, by Proclamation made in pursuance of the Emergency Powers Act, 1920, and dated the twenty-eighth day of June, nineteen hundred and forty-eight, to declare a state of emergency.I do not think I need say anything on this Motion, except that, in the altered circumstances, the Government have no intention of issuing any regulations.
§ To be presented by Privy Councillors or members of His Majesty's Household.