§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD BIRKENHEAD)I have it in charge to acquaint the House that a Commission has been issued under His Majesty's Great Seal to several Lords therein named, authorising the said Lords to declare, in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, His Majesty's approbation of the choice of the Commons of the Right Hon. John Henry Whitley to be their Speaker.
The Lords Commissioners (The Lord Chancellor, The Marquess of Lincolnshire, The Earl of Kintore, Viscount Sandhurst, and Lord Balfour of Burleigh) being seated in front of the Throne and the Commons having been sent for:—
MR. SPEAKER-ELECT (The Right Hon. JOHN HENRY WHITLEY), addressing the Royal Commissioners, said: I have to inform your Lordships that His Majesty's faithful Commons, in obedience to the Royal Command and in the exercise of their undoubted rights and privileges, have proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and their choice has fallen on me. I therefore present myself at your Lordships' Bar and submit myself with all humility for His Majesty's gracious approbation.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords and Members of the House of Commons, it not being convenient for His Majesty to be personally present here at this time, a Commission has been issued under the Great Seal, commanding us and several other Lords therein named to notify and declare His Majesty's approbation of the choice of Hit faithful Commons of the Right Hon. John Henry Whitley to be their Speaker, winch Commission you will now hear read.
The Reading Clerk (Mr. R. A. Muir Mackenzie) then read the terms of the Commission.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMr. Whitley, we have it in command from His Majesty to declare His Majesty's entire 77 confidence in your talents, diligence, and efficiency to fulfil the important duties of the high office of Speaker of the. House of Commons to which you have been chosen by that House; and in obedience to the Commission which has been read, and by virtue of the authority therein contained, we do declare His Majesty's Royal allowance and confirmation of you, Sir, as Speaker of the House of Commons.
MR. SPEAKERMy Lords, I submit myself humbly to His Majesty's Royal will and pleasure, and if in the discharge of my duties, and in the maintenance of the rights and privileges of the Commons House of Parliament, I should inadvertently fall into error, I pray that the blame may be imputed to me alone, and not to His Majesty's faithful Commons.
The Speaker then retired.
§ House adjourned until a quarter past four of the clock.