Tuesday, 4th December, 1900.

The House met at Twelve of the clock, Mr. Speaker Elect taking the Chair.

Message to attend the Lords Commissioners by Black Rod.

The House went—and, being returned—

Mr. Speaker reported, That the House had been in the House of Peers, where Her Majesty was pleased, by Her Majesty's Commissioners, to approve of the choice the House had made of him to be their Speaker; and that he had in their name and on their behalf, by humble petition to Her Majesty made claim to their ancient and undoubted Eights and Privileges, particularly to freedom from arrest and all molestation of their persons; to freedom of speech in debate; to free access to Her Majesty when occasion shall require; and that the most favourable construction shall be put upon all their proceedings, which, he said, Her Majesty, by her said Commissioners, had confirmed to them in as full and ample a manner as they have been heretofore granted or allowed by Her Majesty, or any of her Royal predecessors.

Mr. SPEAKER repeated his most respectful acknowledgments to the House for the high honour they had done him.

Mr. SPEAKER then put the House in mind that their first duty was to take and subscribe the Oath required by Law.

Thereupon Mr. SPEAKER first alone, standing upon the upper step of the Chair, took and subscribed the Oath.

Several Members took and subscribed the Oath, and a Member made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.

Message to attend the Lords Commissioners by Black Rod.

The House went—and, being returned—

Mr. SPEAKER reported, That the Lords Commissioners under the Great Seal for opening and holding this Parliament had made a communication to both Houses, which Mr. SPEAKER read to the House, as followeth:—

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"We have it further in command from Her Majesty to acquaint you that, since the time when Her Majesty deemed it right to call you together for the consideration of business, certain vacancies have occurred in the House of Commons owing to the acceptance of office from the Crown by Members of that House; it is therefore Her Majesty's pleasure that an opportunity may now be given to issue Writs for supplying the vacancies so occasioned, and that subsequently you may proceed to the consideration of such matters as arc to be laid before you."

Several other Members took' and subscribed the Oath, and several Members made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.

County of Surrey (South Western or Guildford Division)—in the room of Right Hon. William St. John Freemantle Brodrick, Secretary of State.

Borough of Preston—in the room of Right Hon. Robert William Hanbury, President of the Board of Agriculture.

Borough of Dover—in the room of George Wyndham, esquire, Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

County of Suffolk (South Eastern or Woodbridge Division)—in the room of Ernest George Pretyman, esquire, one of the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

County of Derby (Western Division)—in the room of Victor Christian Cavendish, esquire, Treasurer of Her Majesty's Household.

County of Somerset (Western or Wellington Division)—in the room of Captain Sir Alexander Fuller Acland-Hood, baronet, Vice—Chamberlain of Her Majesty's Household.—( Sir William Walrond.)

Several other Members took and subscribed the oath, and several other Members made and subscribed the affirmation required by law.

Motion made, and Question, "That this House do now adjourn"—( Sir William Walrond), Put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at live minutes after Four of the clock.