§ Mr. SpeakerI have to report to the House that, in the House of Peers, Her Majesty, by Her Royal Commissioners, has been pleased to approve of the choice made of myself for the Office of Speaker, and that I have, in your name and on your behalf, made claim by humble petition to Her Majesty to all your ancient and undoubted rights and privileges—particularly to the freedom of speech in debate, freedom from arrest and freedom of access to Her Majesty whenever occasion may require, and that the most favourable construction may be placed on all your proceedings. All these Her Majesty, by Her Commissioners, has been pleased to confirm in as ample a manner as they have ever been granted or confirmed by herself or by any of Her Royal Predecessors.
My first duty to the House is to repeat my very respectful acknowledgements and my grateful thanks for the great honour you have conferred upon me in placing me in the Chair.