MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN: THE REGENCY ACTS (Hansard, 4 November 1953)

THE EARL OF SCARBROUGH
My Lords, I have the honour to present to your Lordships a Message from Her Majesty the Queen, signed with her own hand. The Message is as follows:
"The uncertainty of human life leads me to put you in mind of the possibility that a child of Myself and My dear Husband may accede to the Throne whilst under the age of eighteen years and I would recommend to your consideration whether it be not expedient to provide that, in that event and also in the event of a Regency becoming necessary during My lifetime while there is no child or grandchild of Ours who can be the Regent, My Husband should be the Regent and be charged with the guardianship of the person of the Sovereign. I would also recommend that you should take into consideration the expediency of amending the law so that the Heir Apparent or Heir Presumptive to the Throne should be capable of being Regent if he or she has attained the age of eighteen years.
"Further, it is My desire to put you in mind that it will not under existing 28 law be competent, on occasion arising hereafter for a delegation of Royal functions to Counsellors of State, for My Mother to be of the Counsellors. Consideration of the affection and confidence which you and all My people have evinced for and in Her leads Me to recommend that you should take into consideration also the expediency of securing to Her the opportunity of rendering as a Counsellor of State further service to you and to them.
"I shall be prepared to concur with you in any provision for amendment of the Regency Acts, 1937 and 1943, or other measures which may appear to you necessary or expedient for securing the purposes to which I have alluded."

§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)
My Lords, I beg to move that Her Majesty's most gracious Message be taken into consideration forthwith.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
My Lords, you have heard the gracious Message which we have received from Her Majesty the Queen. I am sure I shall be representing all Parties in this House in moving formally, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, to return to Her Majesty the thanks of this House for Her Majesty's most gracious Message recommending this House to consider certain matters involving amendment of the Regency Acts, 1937 and 1943, and to assure Her Majesty that this House will approve such measures as may appear necessary or expedient for securing the purposes to which Her Majesty has alluded. I beg to move.