§ 3.16 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (LORD WINDLESHAM)My Lords, in view of the announcement made earlier to-day from No. 10 Downing Street, I shall not move the Business Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.
With the leave of the House, I should like to inform your Lordships that the Prime Minister has asked Her Majesty The Queen by telegram to New Zealand to proclaim an early Dissolution of Parliament. She has been pleased to comply with this request. The Prime Minister advised Her Majesty that it is desirable in the present situation that the period between the decision to call the Election and polling day should be as short as possible. Parliament will therefore be prorogued to-morrow, Friday, February 8, and dissolved later the same day. Polling will be on Thursday, February 28. The Dissolution Proclamation will declare Wednesday, March 6, as the date for which the new Parliament will be summoned. The new Parliament will be opened on Tuesday, March 12.
With the leave of the House, my noble friend the Government Chief Whip will now make a statement about the rearrangement of Business.