Sitting of 18 September 1914

Preamble
The House, being met at Twelve o'clock, noon,
The CLERK AT THE TABLE (Sir Courtenay Ilbert) informed the House of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker from this day's sitting.
Whereupon Mr. WHITLEY, the Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table, and, after prayers, took the Chair as Deputy-Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

  MINES IN DARDANELLES.
  Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Ottoman Government has given any explanation of the alleged setting adrift of mines from the Dardanelles?
  The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland): The Ottoman Government informed His Majesty's Ambassador in August that the reason for the detention of certain ships at the Dardanelles was that some mines had been detached from their moorings, and that the vessels had been prevented from continuing their voyage in order to avoid accidents until the mines had been picked up.

  MILITARY EXPERTS (ALLIES).
  Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government of Belgium participated in or was informed of the consultations which he authorised between the military
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  experts of Great Britain and those of France prior to the war?
  Mr. ACLAND: Neither the Belgian Government, nor their military authorities, took part in or were informed of any consultations of the nature referred to, before the outbreak of war.

ROYAL ASSENT.
Message received to attend the Lords Commissioners.
The House went, and having returned,
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where Commissions under the Great Seal were read giving the Royal Assent to:—

1. Police Constables (Naval and Military Service) Act, 1914.

2. National Insurance (Navy and Army) Act, 1914.

3. Prize Courts (Egypt, Zanzibar, and Cyprus) Act, 1914.

4. Bills of Exchange Act, 1914.

5. Rates (Proceedings for Recovery) Act, 1914.

6. Trading with the Enemy Act, 1914.

7. Irish Police Constables (Naval and Military Service) Act, 1914.

8. Army Pensions Act, 1914.

9. Superannuation Act, 1914.

10. Suspensory Act, 1914.

11. Navy (Pledging of Certificates, etc.) Act, 1914.

And to the following Acts passed under the provisions of the Parliament Act, 1911:—

1. Government of Ireland Act, 1914.

2. Welsh Church Act, 1914.

PROROGATION

  HIS MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH.
  Mr. DEPUTY - SPEAKER: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor being one of the High Commissioners delivered His Majesty's most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament in pursuance of His Majesty's Command as followeth:—
  My Lords, and Gentlemen,
  I address you in circumstances that call for action rather than for speech.
  After every endeavour had teen made by My Government to preserve the peace of the world, I was compelled, in the assertion of treaty obligations deliberately set at nought, and for the protection of the public law of Europe and the vital interests of My Empire, to go to war.
  My Navy and Army have, with unceasing vigilance, courage, and skill, sustained, in association with gallant and faithful allies, a just and righteous cause.
  From every part of My Empire there has been a spontaneous and enthusiastic rally to our common flag.
  Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
  I thank you for the liberality with which you have met a great emergency.
  My Lords, and Gentlemen,
  We are fighting for a worthy purpose, and we shall not lay down our arms until that purpose has been fully achieved.
  I rely with confidence upon the loyal and united efforts of all My subjects, and I pray that Almighty God may give us His blessing.
  Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
  After which the Lord Chancellor said:
  MY LORDS, AND GENTLEMEN,—By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name and in obedience to His Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the Twenty-seventh day of October, One thousand nine hundred and fourteen, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday, the Twenty-seventh day of October, One thousand nine hundred and fourteen.
  Mr. W. CROOKS: Would it be in order to sing "God Save the King"?

  In response, all the Members present joined in singing the National Anthem, the occupants of the Press and other galleries standing.
  Mr. CROOKS: "God save Ireland."
  Mr. JOHN REDMOND: "And God save England, too."
  End of the Fourth Session of the Thirtieth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His Majesty-King George V.

  DUCHESS OF MECKLENBURG- STRELITZ—BRITISH ANNUITY (PAYMENT SUSPENDED).
  DUCHESS OF MECKLENBURG- STRELITZ—BRITISH ANNUITY (PAYMENT SUSPENDED).
  INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT (OVERTIME).
  INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT (OVERTIME).
  HORSES IN MILITARY CAMPS.
  HORSES IN MILITARY CAMPS.
  IRISH BOARD OF WORKS (SUPPLY OF ANTHRACITE COAL).
  IRISH BOARD OF WORKS (SUPPLY OF ANTHRACITE COAL).
  UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT.
  UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT.
  TIMBER FOR BUILDING (PRICES).
  TIMBER FOR BUILDING (PRICES).
  ALLEGED MURDER OF A NURSE.
  ALLEGED MURDER OF A NURSE.
  WAR OFFICE ORDERS.
  WAR OFFICE ORDERS.
  OFFICERS (CONSOLIDATED PAY).
  OFFICERS (CONSOLIDATED PAY).
  Cable Charges.
  Cable Charges.
  Post Office Servants' Wages.
  Post Office Servants' Wages.
  Auxiliary Postmen.
  Auxiliary Postmen.
  Housing Conditions in Greenock.
  Housing Conditions in Greenock.

ROYAL COMMISSION.
The following eleven Bills received the Royal Assent—

Police Constables (Naval and Military Service).

National Insurance (Navy and Army).

Prize Courts (Egypt, Zanzibar, and Cyprus).

Bills of Exchange.

Rates (Proceedings for Recovery).

Trading with the Enemy.

Irish Police Constables (Naval and Military Service).

Army Pensions.

Superannuation.

Suspensory.

Navy (Pledging of Certificates, &c.).

The Royal Assent was also given to the following Bills passed under the provisions of the Parliament Act, 1911—

Government of Ireland.

Established Church (Wales).

HIS MAJESTY'S SPEECH.
And afterwards His Majesty's most gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord Chancellor (in pursuance of His Majesty's Command) as followeth:—
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
"I address you in circumstances that call for action rather than for speech.
"After every endeavour had been made by My Government to preserve the peace of the world, I was compelled, in the assertion of treaty obligations deliberately set at nought, and for the protection of the public law of Europe and the vital interests of My Empire, to go to war.
"My Navy and Army have, with unceasing vigilance, courage, and skill, sustained, in association with gallant and faithful allies, a just and righteous cause.
"From every part of My Empire there has been a spontaneous and enthusiastic rally to our common flag.
"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
"I thank you for the liberality with which you have met a great emergency.
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
"We are fighting for a worthy purpose, and we shall not lay down our arms until that purpose has been fully achieved.
"I rely with confidence upon the loyal and united efforts of all My subjects, and I pray that Almighty God may give us His blessing."
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
After which the LORD CHANCELLOR said:
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,—By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's Name and in obedience to His Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday the Twenty-seventh day of October One thousand nine hundred and fourteen, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday the Twenty-seventh day of October One thousand nine hundred and fourteen.
End of the Fourth Session of the Thirtieth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George V.