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), 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  As soon as the Commons have withdrawn, the Commissioners rise and bow to the House.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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