Sitting of 1 February 1911

Preamble
The House met at Twelve of the clock, and Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT (the Right Hon. James William Lowther) having taken the Chair,
A message was delivered by Admiral Sir Henry Frederic 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 (Lord Lore-burn), 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 by humble Petition to His Majesty to all your ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, particularly 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 ever been
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granted or confirmed by himself or any of his predecessors.
My first duty is to repeat to the House my sincere acknowledgment of thanks for the great honour they have done me in placing me in the Chair.
It is now my duty to remind the House that the first business is to take the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty. I will take the Oath first, then Privy Councillors, and then other Members.
Mr. Speaker first, alone, standing upon the upper step of the Chair, took and subscribed the Oath.
Then several Members took the prescribed Oath, and several other Members made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.
ADJOURNMENT.—Resolved, "That this House do now adjourn till to-morrow, at two of the clock."—[Sir John Fuller.]
Adjourned accordingly at a quarter before Six o'clock till to-morrow (Thursday) at Two o'clock.
Thursday, 2nd February, 1911.
The House met at Two of the clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.

Preamble
PRAYERS.
Several other Members took and subscribed the Oath, and several other Members made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.
ADJOURNMENT.—Resolved, "That this House do now adjourn till Monday next, at two o'clock."—[Mr. Percy Illingworth.]
Adjourned accordingly at Seven minutes before Five o'clock till Monday next (6th February), at Two o'clock.

Preamble
Several Lords—Took the Oath.
The Lord CHURSTON—Sat first in Parliament after the death of his father.
Several Lords—Took the Oath.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
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),addressing the Royal Commissioners, said: 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): Mr. Lowther, we are commanded to assure you that His Majesty is

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so fully sensible of your zeal in the public service and of your ample 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 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 all their proceedings. In 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 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 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 and the Commons then retired.
Several Lords—Took the Oath.
The Viscount MORLEY of BLACKBURN affirmed.
Several Lords—Took the Oath.
House adjourned at half-past Four o'clock, to Monday next, Two o'clock.