Commons Sitting of 13 August 1895

Preamble
The House met at Twelve of the Clock.

Summary of Day
The House being met, and Mr. Speaker-Elect having taken the Chair, a Message was delivered by the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod, as followeth:—
"Mr. SPEAKER,—The Lords, authorised by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers."
Accordingly, Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where he was presented to the said Lords Commissioners for the Royal Approbation.
The LORD CHANCELLOR,one of the said Lords Commissioners, signified Her Majesty's Approbation of Mr. Speaker-Elect.
The House being returned,
MR. SPEAKERsaid: I have to report that, in the House of Peers, Her Majesty, by her Lords Commissioners, has been pleased to signify her gracious approval of the choice which you have made of me as your Speaker. I have also to report that I then, in your name and on your behalf, laid claim by humble petition to Her Majesty to all your ancient and undoubted rights and privileges—especially to freedom of speech in debate, freedom from arrest, and free access to Her Majesty whenever occasion may require, and that the most
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favourable construction be put upon all your proceedings—all of which Her Majesty, through her Commissioners, was pleased to confirm and allow in as full and ample a manner as the same have ever been granted or confirmed by herself or by any of Her Majesty's Royal predecessors. I have now again to make my grateful acknowledgments to the House for the honour done to me in placing me again in this Chair, and to assure it of my complete devotion to its service. It is now my duty to remind hon. Members that their first duty in the House is to take the oath of allegiance in the form required by law, and perhaps the House will allow me, as some confusion has arisen at times from too great a number of Members crowding to the Table at once to take the Oath, whereas the accommodation for that purpose is limited—perhaps the House will allow me to suggest that hon. Members should act in conformity with the suggestion made in the paper laid on the Benches of the House and that not more than five Members should come to the Table at once for the purpose of being sworn. I think that will greatly facilitate the speed and the order of the proceedings.
And thereupon, Mr. SPEAKER, first alone, standing upon the upper step of the Chair, took and subscribed the Oath.
Then other Members took and subscribed the Oath; other Members made and subscribed the Affirmation required by law.
At Two of the Clock, the Sitting was suspended.
On the return of Mr. SPEAKER, other Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by law.
At half-past Three o'clock,
MR. W. JOHNSTON MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.) moved, "That the House do now adjourn."
MR. SPEAKERsaid that perhaps the hon. Member would withdraw the Motion for the present.
Motion, by leave, withdrawn.
House adjourned at Four o'clock till Twelve o'clock to-morrow.