Sitting of 30 April 1880

Preamble
The House met at Two of the clock.

Summary of Day
The House being met, and Mr. SPEAKER ELECT having taken the Chair, a Message was delivered by the Gentleman 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, went up to the House of Peers, where he was presented to the said Lords Commissioners for the Royal 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 to report to the House that, in the House of Peers, Her Majesty by Her Royal Commissioners has been pleased to approve the choice made of myself for the Office of your Speaker, and that I have, in your name and on your behalf, laid claim by humble Petition to Her Majesty to all your ancient rights and privileges— freedom of speech in debate, freedom from arrest for your persons and servants, freedom of access to Her Majesty whenever occasion may require, and that the most favourable construction may be placed upon all your proceedings. All these Her Majesty, by Her Commissioners, has been pleased to grant and confirm in as ample a manner as they have ever been granted or confirmed by Herself or by any of Her Royal Predecessors.
My first duty to the House is to repeat my very respectful acknowledgments and my grateful thanks for the great honour you have conferred upon me in again placing me in the Chair.
I must now call upon the Members of the House, according to the usual custom, to take the Oath of Allegiance at the Table of the House.
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 other Members made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.
House adjourned at Five o'clock till Two o'clock To-morrow.

Preamble
The House met at Two of the clock;—And a Royal Commission having been read, Five of the Lords Commissioners, namely—The LORD CHANCELLOR, The LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Duke of Argyll), The EARL OF KIMBERLEY (Secretary of State for the Colonies), The LORD HIGH STEWARD (The Earl Sydney), and The

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EARL OF NORTHBROOK (First Lord of the Admiralty), being in their Robes, and seated on a Form between the Throne and the Woolsack, commanded the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod 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, 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 now present myself at your Lordships' Bar, and submit myself with all humility for Her Majesty's gracious approbation."
  Then THE LORD CHANCELLOR said,
  "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."
  Then MR. SPEAKER said—
  "MY LORDS,
  "I submit myself with all humility and gratitude to Her Majesty's gracious commands. It is now my duty, in the name 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; particularly to freedom of speech in debate; to freedom from arrest of their persons and servants; above all, to free access to Her Majesty when occasion shall require; and that the most favourable construction shall be put upon all their proceedings. With regard to myself, I pray that if any
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  error shall be committed it may be imputed to myself, and not to Her Majesty's Commons."
  Then THE LORD CHANCELLOR said,
  "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, though 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 acts."
  Then the Commons withdrew.
  House adjourned during pleasure.
  House resumed.
  Several Lords—took the Oath.

  SAT FIRST.
  The Lord Clanbrassill (Earl of Roden) —after the death of his nephew.
  Several Lords—took the Oath.
  House adjourned at Five o'clock, to Monday next, Two o'clock.