§ Mr. Speaker (standing in the Clerk's place at the Table)I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission under the Great Seal was read. The LORD CHANCELLOR, being one of the Lords Commissioners, delivered His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of His Majesty's Command, as followeth:
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.
§ For over a year My Forces by sea, land and air have been defending the cause of freedom. My people everywhere, enduring with fortitude in their homes and work places, and at sea, the brutal attacks of the enemy, have nobly sustained the common effort.
§ By calculated treachery and violence Germany has brought under her yoke many free nations devoted to the arts of peace. I have been happy to receive here the Governments of countries thus overrun. I rejoice that their armed 2100 forces, together with brave men of other nations, are now fighting side by side with My own.
§ In the early summer France, overtaken by military disaster, felt compelled to sue for terms of armistice. Taking advantage of French misfortunes Italy seized the opportunity to range herself with the aggressor and has now launched a wanton attack on Greece. I welcome in the struggle against tyranny a new comrade to whom My Empire will bring all possible aid. By her courageous resistance Greece is proving herself worthy of her glorious past.
§ My Forces in the Mediterranean are prepared to give a good account of themselves in all emergencies, and My country enjoys, in that region, the benefit of valued Treaties of alliance with Egypt and Turkey.
§ It was with gratification that I learnt of the decision of the Government of the United States to transfer fifty destroyers to My Navy, and I trust that the grant to that Government of defence facilities in certain territories on the Atlantic seaboard may equally serve to defend the heritage of free men.
§ Members of the House of Commons.
§ I thank you for the provision you have made towards the increasingly heavy costs of war. The readiness of My people to accept these burdens confirms Me in My belief that they will think no financial sacrifice too great to ensure the triumph of our cause.
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.
§ I am glad that despite the heavy preoccupations of the war My Government have found it possible to promote various measures for improving social conditions in this country.
§ The frustration of German plans for the invasion of Britain, the attacks upon the sources of German military power, the firm defence of Egypt and the Sudan and the successful attack upon the Italian Navy give proof of our strength, and justify our confidence in final victory.
§ The present war is not only a struggle between nations. It springs from the clash of fundamental ideals. We shall 2101 not falter or lay aside our arms until the high purposes, to which we have pledged our faith, are achieved.
§ I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your labours.
§ Then a Commission for Proroguing the Parliament was read in the House of Lords.
§ After which the LORD CHANCELLOR said:
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
§ By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and 2102 other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name and in obedience to His Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Thursday, the twenty-first day of November, one thousand nine hundred and forty, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued until Thursday, the twenty-first day of November, one thousand nine hundred and forty.
§ End of the Fifth Session (opened 28th November, 1939) of the Thirty-Seventh Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Fourth year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Sixth.