APPENDIX C
ROYAL COMMISSIONS
A Royal Commission consists of three or more (usually five)
Commissioners, who are Privy Counsellors appointed by Letters Patent to perform
certain functions on the Queen's behalf. These functions include:
· proceedings at
the opening of a new Parliament in connection with the election of a Speaker by
the Commons (see appendix D);
· proceedings at
the Opening of Parliament
when the Queen is not present (see appendix E);
· proceedings in
relation to the giving of Royal Assent to bills (see appendix F);
· proceedings at
the prorogation of Parliament (see appendix G).
A minister of the Crown of cabinet rank normally presides.
The Commissioners wear robes and (optionally for female Commissioners) hats.
Proceedings on Royal Commissions differ in their details but
share common characteristics, which are described in this appendix. Appendices
D-G describe the differences.
Entry
of Commissioners
The Lords Commissioners enter the Chamber by the door on the
spiritual side near the Throne. They take their seats on a form placed between
the Throne and the Woolsack. The presiding Commissioner sits in the centre; the
senior in precedence of the other Lords Commissioners sits on their right and
the next senior on theirleft, the remaining two in order of seniority on the
right and left of these respectively.
Summoning
the Commons
The presiding Commissioner commands Black Rod:
"Let
the Commons know that the Lords Commissioners desire their immediate attendance
in this House [to hear the Commission read]."
Black Rod summons the Commons.
The Commons proceed from their Chamber and advance to the
Bar of the House of Lords, bowing three times, the first time at the step, the
second time midway between the step and the Bar, the third time at the Bar.
Each bow is acknowledged by the Lords Commissioners. Male Commissioners raise
their hats; women Commissioners do not.
Reading
the Commission
The Commission is read by the Reading Clerk at the Table. He
bows to each Lord Commissioner as he names them, and a male Commissioner
responds by raising his hat. Women Commissioners keep their hats on.
Departure
of the Commons
The Commons withdraw, with three bows which are acknowledged
as on their arrival.
Departure
of Commissioners
The Commissioners, led by the presiding Commissioner, leave
the Chamber by the door on the spiritual side near the Throne, and disrobe.
