HC Deb 23 October 1974 vol 880 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 may be for the convenience of the House if I indicate my intentions with regard to the taking of the Oath by right hon. and hon. Members. I propose to take the Front Benches first; then Privy Councillors and former Ministers, and thereafter 20 hon. Members from each side, so that there may be no unseemly barging or bustling in our arrangements. I shall continue until about half-past four, and I shall then suspend the sitting until five o'clock. I shall definitely return to the Chair at five, and I shall come again at six.

I hope that the announcement of these arrangements will be of assistance to hon. Members if they have something which they wish to do in the meantime. The same procedure will apply tomorrow. The House will sit at half-past two. I shall adopt the same timetable, again being in the Chair at five o'clock and six o'clock. In each case six o'clock will be the last occasion.

I hope that that announcement will enable hon. Members to make their arrangements.

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

4.28 p.m.

Mr. Speaker

I suspend the sitting till five o'clock.

5 p.m.

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

5.20 p.m.

Mr. Speaker

I suspend the sitting till six o'clock.

6 p.m.

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

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