APPENDIX D

OPENING OF A NEW PARLIAMENT AND ELECTION OF COMMONS SPEAKER

The election of a Speaker of the House of Commons takes place only at the beginning of a new Parliament and not at the beginning of subsequent sessions.

First day

On the day appointed the Lord Speaker, in his black gown, preceded by the Mace, enters the House by the Bar and takes his seat on the Woolsack. No prayers are said at this stage. The Leader of the House or another government minister rises and says:

"My Lords,

It not being convenient for Her Majesty to be personally present here this day, She has been pleased to cause a Commission under the Great Seal to be prepared in order to the holding of this Parliament."

The Lord Speaker then leaves the Chamber by the door on the spiritual side near the Throne, the Mace remaining on the Woolsack. The Lords Commissioners enter, and the Commons are summoned (see appendix C).

  Black Rod summons the Commons with the following words:

"Members of the House of Commons,

The Lords who are authorised by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission to declare the Opening of Parliament, desire the presence of this Honourable House in the House of Peers to hear the Commission read."

The presiding Commissioner says:

"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

We are commanded by Her Majesty to let you know that, it not being convenient for Her to be present here this day in Her Royal Person, she has thought fit by Letters Patent under the Great Seal to empower several Lords therein named to do all things in Her Majesty's Name which are to be done on Her Majesty's Part in this Parliament, as by the Letters Patent will more fully appear."

The Commission is read (see appendix C).

Then the presiding Commissioner says:

"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

We have it in command from Her Majesty to let you know that, as soon as the Members of both Houses shall be sworn, the causes of Her Majesty calling this Parliament will be declared to you: and, it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Commons should be first chosen, it is Her Majesty's Pleasure that you, Members of the House of Commons, repair to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker, and that you present such person whom you shall so choose here [tomorrow] for Her Majesty's Royal Approbation."

The Commons and the Commissioners depart (see appendix C page).

  The Lords Commissioners disrobe. The Lord Speaker returns, and prayers are read.

  The Lord Speaker first takes the oath.

  After him, the Archbishops, the party leaders, the Senior Deputy Speaker and the occupants of the front benches, including those used by ex-ministers nearest the Bar, may take the oath, followed by the remaining Lords present.

Second day

On the second day of the Parliament, the sitting opens with prayers.

  The first business is the confirmation, by the Lords Commissioners, of the election of the Speaker of the House of Commons.

  After prayers the House adjourns during pleasure to allow the Commissioners to robe.

  The Lords Commissioners enter, and the Commons are summoned.

  Black Rod summons the Commons with these words:

"Mr/Madam Speaker-Elect and Members of the House of Commons, the Lords who are authorised by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission to declare Her Royal Approval to the election of a Speaker, desire the presence of this Honourable House in the House of Peers to hear the Commission read."

  The Commons arrive preceded by their Speaker-elect. The Speaker-elect makes a speech to this effect:

"My Lords,

I have to acquaint your Lordships that in obedience to the Royal Command, Her Majesty's most faithful Commons have, in the exercise of their undoubted rights and privileges, proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and that their choice has fallen upon me. I now present myself at your Lordships' Bar, and submit myself with all humility for Her Majesty's gracious Approbation."

The presiding Commissioner then says:

"Mr/Mrs/Miss [and then surname of Speaker-elect]

We are commanded to assure you that Her Majesty is so fully sensible of your zeal in the public service, and of your ample sufficiency to execute the arduous duties which Her faithful Commons have selected you to discharge, that Her Majesty does most readily approve and confirm you as their Speaker."

The Speaker then addresses the Lords Commissioners to the following effect:

"My Lords,

I submit myself with all humility and gratitude to Her 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 Her 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 Her Majesty whenever occasion shall require, and that the most favourable construction shall be put upon all their proceedings. With 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 Her Majesty's most faithful Commons."

The presiding Commissioner then says:

"Mr [Madam] Speaker,

We have it further in command to inform you that Her Majesty does most readily confirm all the rights and privileges which have ever been granted to or conferred upon the Commons by Her Majesty or any of Her Royal Predecessors.

With respect to yourself, Sir [Madam], though Her Majesty is sensible that you stand in no need of such assurance, Her Majesty will ever place the most favourable construction upon your words and actions."

Upon this the Commons and the Commissioners depart (see appendix C). The House adjourns for the Commissioners to disrobe, and afterwards resumes to enable Lords to be introduced or to take the oath.

New Speaker in mid-Parliament

If during the course of a Parliament there is a vacancy in the office of Speaker, the Commons receive a direction from the Sovereign, signified by a minister of the Crown. A Commission is then issued, and the Lords Commissioners assemble in the House of Lords in the usual way, and summon the Commons, who come with their Speaker-elect. The Speaker-elect makes the usual speech, and the presiding Commissioner declares the approbation of Her Majesty as follows, but the further exchanges claiming the confirming privileges, made at the commencement of a Parliament, are omitted:

"Mr/Mrs/Miss [and then surname of Speaker-elect]

We have it in command from her Majesty to declare Her Majesty's entire confidence in your talents, diligence and sufficiency to fulfil the important duties of the high office of Speaker of the House of Commons to which you have been chosen by that House, and in obedience to the Commission which has been read and by virtue of the authority therein contained, we do declare Her Majesty's royal allowance and confirmation of you, Sir [Madam], as Speaker of the House of Commons."

 

 

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