Sitting of 6 March 1874

Preamble
The House met at Two of the clock.
The House being met, and Mr. SPEAKER ELECT having taken the Chair, a Message was delivered by the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod:
"MR. SPEAKER,
"The Lords authorized by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers."
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker Elect, with the House, Trent up to the House of Peers, where he was presented to the said Lords Commissioners for Her Majesty's approbation.
Then the LORD CHANCELLOR, one of the said Lords Commissioners, signified Her Majesty's approbation of Mr. Speaker Elect.
The House being returned;—
MR. SPEAKER: I have the pleasure to acquaint the House that I have been to the House of Peers, where Her Majesty, by Commission, has been pleased to approve of the choice which this House has made of me as their Speaker. I have, by petition to Her Majesty, laid claim, on behalf of this House, to all the undoubted Rights and Privileges of the House, more particularly for freedom of speech in debate, for freedom from arrest for our persons and servants, and above all for freedom of access to Her Majesty whenever occasion may require, and also that the most favourable construction may be placed on our proceedings. I desire now for myself to renew my humble acknowledgments to the House for the honour it has conferred on me by placing me for the second time in the Chair. It will be my constant endeavour to facilitate the order and conduct of Public Business in this House, and for that purpose I wish to place my services at the disposal of this House. It is now my duty to remind hon. Members that the first business we have to discharge is to take and subscribe the oath prescribed to us by law. I now call upon the Clerk to administer the oath to myself.
And thereupon MR. SPEAKER, first alone, standing upon the upper step of the Chair, took and subscribed the Oath; and after him several other Members took and subscribed the Oath; and several Members, being of the People called Quakers, made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.
House adjourned at a quarter after Five o'clock, till Two o'clock To-morrow.

Preamble
The House met;—And a Royal Commission having been read, Four of the Lords Commissioners, namely—The LORD CHANCELLOR, The LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (The Duke of Richmond), The LORD STEWARD OF THE HOUSEHOLD (The Earl Beauchamp), and The LORD SKELMERSDALE (Captain of the Yeoman of the Guard), being in their Robes, and seated on a Form between the Throne and the Woolsack, commanded the Yeoman Usher of the Black Pod to let the Commons know "The Lords Commissioners desire their immediate attendance in this House."
And the Commons being at the Bar;

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

  PRESENTED AND APPROVED.
  THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY BOUVERIE WILLIAM BRAND, Speaker Elect, said—
  "MY LORDS,
  "I have to acquaint your Lordships, that in obedience to Her Majesty's commands, the Commons have, according to their undoubted rights and privileges, proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and that their; choice has fallen upon myself. I now present myself at your Lordships Bar, and submit myself with all humility to Her Majesty's gracious approbation."
  THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid,
  "MR. BRAND,
  "We are commanded to assure you that Her Majesty is so fully sensible of your zeal for the public service, and of your ample sufficiency to execute the arduous duties which Her faithful Commons have selected you to discharge, that She does most readily approve and confirm you as their Speaker."
  MR. SPEAKERsaid—
  "MY LORDS,
  "I submit myself with all humility and gratitude to Her Majesty's gracious commands, and it is now my duty in the name and on behalf of the Commons of the United Kingdom to lay claim by
  16
  humble petition to Her Majesty to all their ancient and undoubted rights and privileges; particularly to freedom of speech in debate; to freedom from arrest of their persons and servants; to free access to Her Majesty when occasion shall require; and that the most favourable construction should be put upon all their proceedings; and with regard to myself I pray that if any error should be committed it may be imputed to myself, and not to Her Majesty's loyal Commons."
  THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid,
  "MR. 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 any of Her Royal Predecessors.
  With respect to yourself, Sir, although Her Majesty is sensible that you stand in no need of such assurance, Her Majesty will ever put the most favourable construction upon your words and actions."
  Then the Commons withdrew.
  House adjourned during pleasure.
  House resumed.
  His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge—Singly took the Oath.
  His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales—Singly took the Oath. Several Lords—Took the Oath.

NEW PEER.
The Right Honourable Sir Thomas Francis Fremantle, Baronet, having been created Baron Cottesloe—was (in the usual manner) introduced.
House adjourned at Five o'clock, to Monday next, Two o'clock.