§ The Lords Commissioners (The Lord Chancellor (Sir Michael Havers, QC), The Lord President of the Council (The Viscount Whitelaw), The Baroness Seear, The Lord Aberdare and The Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos) 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.
§ Then, the Commons being at the Bar, Mr. Speaker-Elect (The Right Honourable Bernard Weatherill), addressing the Royal Commissioners, said: My Lords, I have to acquaint your Lordships that, in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, Her Majesty's most faithful Commons have, in the exercise of their undoubted rights and privileges, proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and that their choice has fallen upon myself. I therefore present myself at your Lordships' Bar and submit myself with all humility for Her Majesty's gracious Approbation.
The Lord ChancellorMr. Bernard Weatherill, we are commanded to assure you that Her Majesty is so fully sensible of your zeal in the public service, and of your ample sufficiency to execute the arduous duties 4 which her faithful Commons have selected you to discharge, that Her Majesty does most readily approve and confirm you as their Speaker.
Mr. SpeakerMy Lords, I submit myself with all humility and gratitude to Her Majesty's gracious Commands. It is now my duty, in the name of and on behalf of the Commons of the United Kingdom, to lay claim, by humble petition to Her Majesty, to all their ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, especially to freedom of speech in debate, to freedom from arrest, to free access to Her Majesty whenever occasion shall require, and that the most favourable construction shall be put upon all their proceedings. With regard to myself, I pray that if in the discharge of my duties I shall inadvertently fall into any error, it may be imputed to myself alone, and not to Her Majesty's most faithful Commons.
The Lord ChancellorMr. Speaker, we have it further in Command to inform you that Her Majesty does most readily confirm all the rights and privileges which have ever been granted to or conferred upon the Commons by Her Majesty or any of her Royal predecessors. With respect to yourself, Sir, though Her Majesty is sensible that you stand in no need of such assurance, Her Majesty will ever place the most favourable construction upon your words and actions.
§ Mr. Speaker and the Commons then retired.