§ 3.42 p.m.
§ LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, I have it in Command from Her Majesty the Queen to deliver a Message regarding the declaration of a 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 Her Majesty having on the thirteenth day of November, 1973, made, in pursuance thereof, a Proclamation declaring that the industrial disputes affecting persons employed in the coal mines and in the electricity supply industry 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 industrial disputes, the present industrial dispute affecting persons employed on the railways and the reduction in oil supplies reaching Great Britain having, in Her Majesty's opinion, constituted such a state of emergency as aforesaid:
"Her Majesty has deemed it proper, by Proclamation dated the twelfth day of December 1973 and made in pursuance of the said Act of 1920, as so amended, to declare that a state of emergency exists."