HC Deb 04 November 1946 vol 428 cc1063-5

Message from His Majesty, brought up, and read by Mr. SPEAKER (all the Members of the House being uncovered), as followeth:

The present Parliament Chamber not being convenient for the purpose of opening Parliament, His Majesty intends to open the next session of Parliament in the Chamber now assigned to the House of Commons as their place of sitting and not in the present Parliament Chamber; and it is His Majesty's pleasure that on the day to which Parliament shall stand prorogued

Could he say, briefly, what is the nature of this expenditure?

Mr. Barnes

This covers negotiations between the London Passenger Transport Board and numerous shop grades. It has been pending for a long time, and a settlement has now been reached. There is a bonus appeal, also, for production services. The time in negotiating, of course, has built up the arrears.

Following is the statement:

the Lords Spiritual and Temporal shall meet in the Chamber now assigned to the House of Commons as their place of sitting and that the House of Commons shall then meet in St. Stephen's Hall. And it is His Majesty's further pleasure, that, as soon as conveniently may be after he has delivered his Speech to both Houses of Parliament, the Chamber at present assigned to the House of Commons as their place of sitting shall be again made ready for their occupation.

GEORGE R.I.

Message to be considered Tomorrow.—[The Prime Minister.]