HC Deb 16 February 1910 vol 14 cc13-4

The House met at Twelve of the clock, and Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT (the Eight Hon. James William Lowther) having taken the Chair,

A message was delivered by Admiral Sir Henry Frederick Stephenson, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as followeth:

Mr. Speaker,

The Lords, authorised by virtue of His Majesty's Commissioners, 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 His Majesty's Royal approbation.

Then the Lord Chancellor, one of the said Lords Commissioners, signified His Majesty's approbation of Mr. Speaker-Elect.

The House having returned,

Mr. SPEAKER

I have to report to the House that, in the House of Peers, His Majesty, by his Royal Commissioners, has been pleased to approve the choice made of myself for the Office of your Speaker, and that I have, in your name, and on your behalf, laid claim my humble Petition to His Majesty to all your ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, particularly to freedom of speech in debate, freedom from arrest, freedom of access to His Majesty whenever occasion may require, and that the most favourable construction may be placed upon all your proceedings. All these His Majesty, by his Commissioners, has been pleased to confirm in as ample a manner as they have ever been granted or confirmed by himself or by any of his Royal predecessors.

My first duty to the House is to repeat my very respectful acknowledgments and my grateful thanks for the great honour you have conferred upon me in placing me in the Chair.

I must now call upon the Members of the House, according to the usual custom, to take the Oath of Allegiance at the Table of the House.

Then several Members took and subscribed the Oath, and several other Members made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put, "That this House do now adjourn"—[Mr. J. M. Fuller.]—it was resolved in the Affirmative.

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till Thirty minutes after Four of the clock, adjourned till to-morrow (Thursday) at Two o'clock.