§ 3.54 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE EARL OF LONGFORD)My Lords, I have the honour to present a Message from the Queen, signed with her own hand. Her Majesty's Message is as follows:
"The Emergency Powers Act 1920, as amended by the Emergency Powers Act 1964, having enacted that if it appears to Her Majesty that there have occurred or are about to occur events of such a nature as to be calculated, by interfering with the supply and distribution of food, water, fuel or light, or with the means of locomotion, to 324 deprive the community or any substantial proportion of the community of the essentials of life, Her Majesty may by Proclamation declare that a State of Emergency exists; and Her Majesty, having on the 23rd day of May, 1966, made in pursuance thereof a Proclamation declaring that the stoppage of work among merchant seamen did in her opinion constitute a State of Emergency within the meaning of the said Act of 1920 as so amended, which Proclamation does not remain in force for more than one month; and the continuance of the said stoppage of work having, in Her Majesty's opinion, constituted such a State of Emergency as aforesaid, Her Majesty has deemed it proper, by a Proclamation dated the 22nd day of June, 1966, and made in pursuance of the said Act of 1920 as so amended, to declare that a State of Emergency exists."