APPENDIX G~
PROROGATION BY COMMISSION~~
Without Royal Assent
At the time appointed, the Lords Commissioners enter
the Chamber, and the Commons are summoned (see appendix C pages
251-252), as follows:
"Mr Speaker, the Lords who
are authorised by virtue of Her Majesty's commission to declare
Her Royal Assent to Acts [and Measures] passed by both Houses
[and to an Act passed in accordance with the provisions of the
Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949], and also to declare the prorogation
of Parliament, desire the presence of this honourable House in
the House of Peers."
The presiding Commissioner says:
"My Lords and Members of
the House of Commons,
Her Majesty, not thinking fit to be personally
present here at this time, has been pleased to cause a Commission
to be issued under the Great Seal, for proroguing this present
Parliament; and we are commanded to deliver to you Her Majesty's
Speech in Her Majesty's own words."
The presiding Commissioner then reads the Queen's
Speech.
The Commission for proroguing Parliament is then
read (see appendix C), after which the presiding Commissioner,
still seated and covered, says:
"My Lords and Members of
the House of Commons,
By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission under
the Great Seal to us and other Lords directed and now read, we
do in Her Majesty's Name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands,
prorogue this Parliament to
the
day of
to
be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued
to
the
day of
."
The Commons then withdraw (see appendix C).
As soon as the Commons have withdrawn, the Commissioners
rise and bow to the House. The Lord Speaker, if she is a member
of the Commission, moves to stand in front of the Woolsack. The
Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms (the Yeoman Usher) takes up the Mace from
the Woolsack, and the Lord Speaker leaves the House by the Bar.
As soon as she has left the House the remaining Commissioners
turn right and are led by the presiding Commissioner out of the
House through the door on the spiritual side near the Throne.
With Royal Assent
If at the time of prorogation there are bills ready
for Royal Assent, they must be dealt with before Parliament can
be prorogued. One Commission is issued for both Royal Assent and
prorogation. When the Commons have arrived, the presiding Commissioner,
remaining seated and covered, says:
"My Lords and Members of
the House of Commons,
Her Majesty, not thinking fit to be personally
present here at this time, has been pleased to cause a Commission
to be issued under the Great Seal, and thereby given Her Royal
Assent to divers Acts which have been agreed upon by both Houses
of Parliament, the Titles whereof are particularly mentioned,
and by the said Commission has commanded us to declare and notify
Her Royal Assent to the said several Acts, in the presence of
you the Lords and Commons assembled for that purpose; and has
also assigned to us and other Lords directed full power and authority
in Her Majesty's Name to prorogue this present Parliament. Which
Commission you will now hear read."
The Commission is read (see appendix C) and Royal
Assent signified (see appendix F).
Then the presiding Commissioner says:
"My Lords and Members of
the House of Commons,
We are commanded to deliver to you Her Majesty's
Speech in Her Majesty's own words."
The presiding Commissioner reads the speech and then
says:
"My Lords and Members of
the House of Commons,
By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which
has been now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name, and in obedience
to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to
the
day of
to be then here holden, and this Parliament
is accordingly prorogued to
the
day of
."
The Commons then withdraw, and the Commissioners
leave the House, in the manner described for prorogation by Commission
without Royal Assent.
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