HC Deb 07 March 1974 vol 870 cc17-32
Mr. Speaker

I must now call upon the Members of the House, according to the usual custom, to take the Oath of Allegiance at the Table of the House, first doing so myself.

Thereupon Mr. SPEAKER first alone, standing upon the upper step of the Chair, took and subscribed the Oath.

Mr. Speaker

It has proved convenient, to save confusion and to save hon. Members having to wait about in the Chamber, for the Chair to announce the order in which it proposes to call right hon. and hon. Members to take the Oath.

I propose to call first the Government Front Bench; then the Opposition Front Bench; then all Privy Councillors and former Ministers not included in those two groups, wherever they may be seated. Thereafter, I go bench by bench—first the second bench below the Gangway on my right, and then the similar bench on my left, then the back bench below the Gangway on my right; then the similar bench on my left.

A diagram of how I propose to proceed has just been placed on the notice board in the Whips' offices and in the "No" Lobby. The seats are there given numbers, and the numbers will be shown on the annunciators so that hon. Members may not have to sit about for an unnecessarily long time. I know that I can count upon the honour of Members to observe the order which I have announced.

To help hon. Members who may have to wait for a certain amount of time, I should say that I shall definitely be in the Chair at six o'clock this evening. I hope that as many as possible will be sworn in today. Tomorrow we continue, and I shall return to the Chair for the last time tomorrow at 12.30 p.m.

The following Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law:

4.31 p.m.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I propose to suspend the Sitting. The Sitting is suspended until Five o'clock.

5.0 p.m.

The following Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law:

5.19 p.m.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I propose to suspend the Sitting and to return later. The Sitting is suspended until Six o'clock.

6.0 p.m.

The following Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law:

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