§ Order read for resuming adjourned debate on Question [21st April]:
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:
Most Gracious Sovereign,
We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
§ Question again proposed.
§ Mr. SpeakerBefore I call upon anybody to speak in this debate, may I inform the House that 10 hon. Members have so far indicated to me that they would like to make their maiden speeches today. I am hoping that three or four of them may be able to catch my eye, but I must balance the debate as between older and newer Members.
If new hon. Members who have written in to me saying that they would like to make their maiden speech today would come to the Chair during the debate, I can break the news to them as to their success or lack of success in catching that elusive organ, the eye of Mr. Speaker, during the day.