HL Deb 14 February 1906 vol 152 cc13-4

The Lords Commissioners being seated in front of the throne and the Commons being sent for:—

MR. SPEAKER-ELECT

(addressing the Royal Commissioners): My Lords, I have to acquaint your Lordships that, in obedience to His Majesty's commands, His Majesty's most faithful Commons have in the exercise of their undoubted rights and privileges proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and that their choice has fallen upon myself. I now present myself at your Lordships' bar and submit myself with all humility for His Majesty's gracious approbation.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

We are commanded to assure you that His Majesty is so fully sensible of your zeal in the public service, and of your undoubted sufficiency to execute all the arduous duties of the position which his faithful Commons have selected you to discharge, that ho does most readily approve and confirm you as their Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER

My Lords, I submit myself with all humility and gratitude to His Majesty's gracious commands. It is now my duty, in the name of and on behalf of the Commons of the United Kingdom, to lay claim by humble petition to His Majesty to all their ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, especially to freedom of speech in debate, to freedom from arrest, and to free access to His Majesty whenever occasion shall require, and that the most favourable construction shall be put on their proceedings. In regard to myself, I pray that if in the discharge of my duties I shall inadvertently fall into any error, it may be imputed to myself alone, and not to His Majesty's most faithful Commons.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

Mr. Speaker, we have it further in command to inform you that His Majesty does most readily confirm all the rights and privileges which have ever been granted to, or conferred upon, the Commons by himself or by any of his Royal predecessors. With respect to yourself, Sir, though His Majesty is sensible that you stand in no need of such assurance, His Majesty will ever place the most favourable construction upon your words and actions.

Several Lords took the oath.

Sir Alfred Charles William Harms-worth, Baronet, having been created Baron Northcliffe of the Isle of Thanet, in the county of Kent, was (in the usual manner) introduced.

Edmund Beckett Faber, esquire, having been created Baron Faber of Butterwick, in the county of Lincoln, was (in the usual manner) introduced.

Several Lords took the oath.

William Henry Grenfell, esquire, having been created Baron Desborough of Taplow, in the county of Buckingham, was (in the usual manner) introduced.

Edmond George Petty Fitzmaurice, esquire, commonly called Lord Edmond George Petty Fitzmaurice, having been created Baron Fitzmaurice of Leigh, in the county of Wilts, was (in the usual manner) introduced.

Several Lords took the oath.

The Lord Newlands sat first in Parliament after the death of his father.