Sitting of 16 February 1910

Preamble
The House met at Twelve of the clock, and Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT (the Eight Hon. James William Lowther) having taken the Chair,
A message was delivered by Admiral Sir Henry Frederick Stephenson, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as followeth:
Mr. Speaker,
The Lords, authorised by virtue of His Majesty's Commissioners, 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 His Majesty's Royal approbation.
Then the Lord Chancellor, one of the said Lords Commissioners, signified His Majesty's approbation of Mr. Speaker-Elect.
The House having returned,
Mr. SPEAKER: I have to report to the House that, in the House of Peers, His Majesty, by his 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 my humble Petition to His Majesty to all your ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, particularly to freedom of speech in debate, freedom from arrest, freedom of access to His Majesty whenever occasion may require, and that the most favourable construction may be placed upon all your proceedings. All these His Majesty, by his Commissioners, has been pleased to confirm in as ample a manner as they have
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ever been granted or confirmed by himself or by any of his 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 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.
Then several Members took and subscribed the Oath, and several other Members made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, "That this House do now adjourn"—[Mr. J. M. Fuller.]—it was resolved in the Affirmative.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till Thirty minutes after Four of the clock, adjourned till to-morrow (Thursday) at Two o'clock.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The LORDS COMMISSIONERS The LORDS COMMISSIONERS being seated in front of the Throne and the Commons being sent for:—
MR. SPEAKER-ELECT (The Right Hon. JAMES WILLIAM LOWTHER)MR. SPEAKER-ELECT (The Right Hon. JAMES WILLIAM LOWTHER), addressing the Royal Commissioners: My Lords, I have to acquaint your Lordships that, in obedience to His Majesty's commands, His Majesty's most faithful Commons have, in the exercise of their undoubted rights and privileges, proceeded to the election of Speaker, and that their choice has fallen upon myself. I now present myself at your Lordships' Bar and submit myself with all humility for His Majesty's gracious approbation.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD LOREBURN): We are commanded to assure you that His Majesty is so fully sensible of your zeal in the public service and of your undoubted sufficiency to execute all the arduous duties of the position which his faithful Commons have selected you to discharge that he does most readily approve and confirm you as their Speaker.
Mr. SPEAKER: My Lords, I submit myself with all humility and gratitude to His 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 His Majesty to all their ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, especially to freedom of speech in debate, to freedom from arrest, and to free access to His Majesty whenever occasion shall require; and that the most favourable construction shall be put upon their proceedings. In regard to myself, I pray that if in the discharge of my duties I shall inadvertently fall into error, it may be imputed to myself alone, and not to His Majesty's most faithful Commons.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR: Mr. Speaker, we have it further in command to inform you that His Majesty does most readily confirm all the rights and privileges which have ever been granted to or conferred upon the Commons by himself or by any of his Royal predecessors. With respect to yourself, Sir, though His Majesty is sensible that you stand in no need of such assurance, His Majesty will ever place the most favourable construction upon your words and actions.
Mr. SPEAKER Mr. SPEAKER and the Commons then retired.
Several Lords Several Lords—Took the Oath.
The VISCOUNT MORLEY OF BLACKBURN The VISCOUNT MORLEY OF BLACKBURN affirmed.
Several Lords Several Lords—Took the Oath.
House adjourned at half-past Four o'clock, to Monday next, half-past Ten o'clock.