§ 2.30 p.m.
§ Opened by Commission, the Royal Commissioners being the Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg), The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Richard), The Lord Jenkins of Hillhead, The Viscount Cranborne and The Lord Weatherill.
§ 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 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 Commission 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 2 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.
§ The Commons then withdrew.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed.
§ Prayers—Read by the Lord Bishop of Newcastle.