Parliament (Hansard, 17 June 1987)

The Lord Chancellor (Sir Michael Havers, QC)

, having taken his seat on the Woolsack, said: My Lords, it not being convenient for Her Majesty to be personally present here this day, She has been pleased to cause a Commission under the Great Seal to be prepared in order to the holding of this Parliament.

Then, the Lords Commissioners (The Lord Chancellor, with The Lord President of the Council (The Viscount Whitelaw) and The Baroness Seear on his right hand and The Lord Aberdare and The Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos on his left hand) being robed and seated in front of the Throne, the Lord Chancellor directed Black Rod as follows: Let the Commons know that the Lords Commissioners desire their immediate attendance in this House to hear the Commission read.

Then, the Commons being at the Bar, The Lord Chancellor said: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, we are commanded by Her Majesty to let you know that, it not being convenient for Her to be present here this day in Her Royal person, She has thought fit, by Letters Patent under 2 the Great Seal, to empower several Lords therein named to do all things in Her Majesty's Name which are to be done on Her Majesty's part in this Parliament, as by the Letters Patent will more fully appear.

Then, the Letters Patent having been read at the Table, The Lord Chancellor said:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, we have it in command from Her Majesty to let you know that, as soon as the Members of both Houses shall be sworn, the causes of Her Majesty calling this Parliament will be declared to you; and, it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Commons should be first chosen, it is Her Majesty's pleasure that you, Members of the House of Commons, repair to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker; and that you present such person whom you shall so choose here, tomorrow, at half-past two o'clock, for Her Majesty's Royal Approbation.