§ The House met at Twelve of the clock, and Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT (the Right Hon. James William Lowther) having taken the Chair,
§ A message was delivered by Admiral Sir Henry Frederic 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 (Lord Lore-burn), one of the said Lords Commissioners, signified His Majesty's approbation of Mr. Speaker-Elect.
§ The House having returned,
§ Mr. SPEAKERI 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 by humble Petition to His Majesty to all your ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, particularly 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 20 granted or confirmed by himself or any of his predecessors.
My first duty is to repeat to the House my sincere acknowledgment of thanks for the great honour they have done me in placing me in the Chair.
It is now my duty to remind the House that the first business is to take the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty. I will take the Oath first, then Privy Councillors, and then other Members.
Mr. Speaker first, alone, standing upon the upper step of the Chair, took and subscribed the Oath.
Then several Members took the prescribed Oath, and several other Members made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.
§ ADJOURNMENT.—Resolved, "That this House do now adjourn till to-morrow, at two of the clock."—[Sir John Fuller.]
§ Adjourned accordingly at a quarter before Six o'clock till to-morrow (Thursday) at Two o'clock.
§ Thursday, 2nd February, 1911.
§ The House met at Two of the clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.