HC Deb 07 May 1997 vol 294 c1

The House being met; and it being the first day of the meeting of this Parliament, pursuant to Proclamation, DONALD WILLIAM LIMON, ESQUIRE, CB, Clerk of the House of Commons, WILLIAM ROBERT McKAY, ESQUIRE, CB, Clerk Assistant, and GEORGE CUBIE, ESQUIRE, Principal Clerk of the Table Office, attending in the House, and the other Clerks attending, according to their duty, SIR THOMAS STUART LEGG, KCB, QC, Clerk of the Crown in Chancery in Great Britain, delivered to the said DONALD WILLIAM LIMON a book containing a list of the names of the Members returned to serve in this Parliament.

Several of the Members repaired to their seats.

THE RIGHT HON. SIR EDWARD HEATH took the Chair, pursuant to Standing Order No. 1 (Election of the Speaker).

Message to attend the Lords Commissioners.

The House went; and a Commission having been read for opening and holding the Parliament, the Lords Commissioners directed the House to proceed to the Election of a Speaker, and to present the Speaker-Elect tomorrow, in the House of Peers, for the Royal Approbation.

And the House having returned:—