HIS LATE MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI (Hansard, 8 February 1952)

§ The LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD SIMONDS)

My Lords, I beg to acquaint your Lordships that I have received the following letter from the Earl Marshal, dated the Earl Marshal's Office, Norfolk House, to-day:

"My Lord,

"It is the Queen's command that the remains of His late Majesty shall be removed from Sandringham to Westminster Hall on Monday next, February 11, there to lie in state until His late Majesty's funeral on February 15.

"The Queen thinks that members of your Lordships' House would wish to be present in Westminster Hall on February 11, together with members of the House of Commons, and I notify you accordingly.

"The body of His late Majesty will reach Westminster Hall at 4.15 o'clock.

"I am,

Your Lordship's obedient servant,

§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUEES OF SALISBURY)

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do attend the Lying-in-State of His late Majesty King George VI in Westminster Hall on Monday next, February 11. In moving this, perhaps it may be convenient to your Lordships that I should indicate the procedure which it is proposed that the House should follow on that occasion.

The House will meet on Monday next at two o'clock, for the purpose of considering a gracious Message from Her Majesty the Queen and agreeing to an humble Address in reply, which it will be my privilege to propose to your Lord- 1070 ships, and Messages to Their Majesties Queen Mary and the Queen Mother. And thereafter, at the appropriate time, the House will go in procession, led by the Lord Chancellor, to Westminster Hall to attend the Lying-in-State. It will, I think, be appropriate on this occasion that Lords Spiritual present that afternoon should move first, immediately after the Lord Chancellor and the Clerks at the Table, followed by Privy Counsellors and Peers on the Front Benches on either side of the House, and thereafter by noble Lords on the other Benches in succession.

The procession will move, as far as possible, four abreast, and the route will be through the Brass Gates, St. Stephen's Hall, and thence along the left hand or West side of Westminster Hall. The Lord Chancellor, Spiritual Peers and Privy Counsellors will take station about the middle of the Hall. The rest of the procession will pass on to the end of the Hall, until the space to the left of the centre is filled. The remainder of the procession will fill up the space to the right of the centre. On this occasion, morning dress or short black coats will be worn.

After the ceremony in Westminster Hall the House will return to the Chamber for the Motion for the Adjournment of the House till Tuesday, February 19. The Business for that and the following day will be the Motion on the Economic Situation in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Pakenham.