Opened by Commission, the Royal Commissioners being the Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Smith of Basildon), the Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith), Lord True, Lord Newby and Lord Laming.
The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Smith of Basildon) (Lab)
My Lords, it not being convenient for His Majesty personally to be present here this day, he has been pleased to cause a Commission under the Great Seal to be prepared in order to the holding of this Parliament.
Let the Commons know that the Lords Commissioners desire their immediate attendance in the House to hear the Commission read.
When the Commons arrived at the Bar: