§ 4.18 p.m.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I have it in command from Her Majesty The Queen to deliver to your Lordships a Message respecting the Declaration of a 746 State of Emergency. The 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 deprive the community, or any substantial portion of the community, of the essentials of life, Her Majesty may, by Proclamation, declare that a State of Emergency exists: and the present stoppage of work among persons employed in the ports having, in Her Majesty's opinion, constituted a State of Emergency within the meaning of the said Act of 1920 as so amended, Her Majesty has deemed it proper, by Proclamation dated the 16th day of July, 1970, and made in pursuance of the said Act of 1920, as so amended, to declare that a State of Emergency exists."