HC Deb 22 September 1943 vol 392 cc263-4

THE PRIME MINISTER (at the Bar) acquainted the House that he had a Message from His Majesty the King to this House, signed by His Majesty's own hand. And he presented the same to the House, and it was read by Mr. SPEAKER (all the Members of the House being uncovered), and is as followeth:—

In accordance with recommendations which I made to both Houses of Parliament in the first year of My reign, permanent provision was enacted for the purpose of facilitating the uninterrupted exercise of the Royal Authority during any incapacity of the Sovereign and during the absence of the Sovereign from the Realm, as well as in the event of the minority of the Sovereign on His Accession.

The Regency Act, 1937, passed for these purposes, provides, among other things, that, in the event of the illness of the Sovereign or of his absence or intended absence from the United Kingdom, certain of the Royal functions may be delegated to persons who are nominated to be Counsellors of State but from among the persons in the line of succession to the Crown who may be nominated to be such Counsellors the Act excludes any who are not of full age.

The earnest desire of The Queen and Myself that our beloved Daughter, the Princess Elizabeth, should have every opportunity of gaining experience in the duties which would fall upon her in the event of Her Accession to the Throne, leads Me to recommend that you should take into consideration the Amendment of the Act mentioned in such manner as to provide for including among the Counsellors of State the person who is Heir Apparent or Heir Presumptive to the Throne if over the age at which the Accession of a Sovereign does not necessitate a Regency, namely, the age of eighteen.

Further, it will be within your recollection that when The Queen and I were absent from the United Kingdom in the year 1939 it was necessary, in order that the provisions of the Act should be complied with, that Her Majesty should be included among the Counsellors of State notwithstanding Her absence. This circumstance leads Me to recommend that you should also take into your consideration the Amendment of the Act mentioned in such manner as to enable persons who are absent or intend to be absent from the United Kingdom to be excepted from among the number of Counsellors of State.

I shall be prepared to concur with you in any measures which may appear to. you to be necessary or expedient for securing the purposes to which I have alluded.

GEORGE, R.I.

The Prime Minister

I beg to move, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty to return to his Majesty the thanks of this House for His Majesty's most gracious Message recommending this House to consider certain contingencies which are not provided for in the Regency Act, 1937: and to assure His Majesty that this House will adopt such Measures as may appear necessary or expedient for securing the purposes to which His Majesty has alluded. I need only inform the House that the necessary legislative action—a Bill is required, of course, and can be fully debated—to give effect to His Majesty's wishes will originate in another place and that this House will have its full opportunities in respect of it.

Question put, and agreed to.

Address to be presented by Privy Councillors or Members of His Majesty's Household.