§ The House met in the new Commons Chamber at a Quarter past Ten o'Clock.
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Prayers were said by the CHAPLAIN TO THE SPEAKER (Rev. Prebendary CHRISTOPHER CHESHIRE); and a special prayer for the occasion was said by the DEAN OF WESTMINSTER (the Very Rev. ALAN DON), former CHAPLAIN TO THE SPEAKER, as follows:
O God, the Judge of all the earth, who hast been our refuge and strength from one generation to another, we humbly seek Thy blessing.
We praise Thee for the powers of mind and skill of hand that have gone to the building of this Chamber and for the generosity of many peoples in diverse lands whose gifts have beautified and enriched it.
We thank Thee for the goodly heritage bequeathed to us by those who in times past have served Thee in this place, and we pray that entering into their labour we may be found worthy guardians of the honour of this House.
Guide and control, we beseech Thee, our deliberations, making us so mindful of our trust that truth and righteousness, justice and liberty may ever flourish and abound, and the people of this Realm may find their perfect freedom in Thy service. And grant, that as we seek to know Thy will we may have patience to fulfil it, to Thy glory and the good of all mankind.
Hear us, O merciful Father, in heaven Thy dwelling place and when Thou hearest, forgive; for the sake of Him who is the only sure foundation of men and nations, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.