Opened by Commission, the Royal Commissioners being the Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park), the Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler), Baroness Smith of Basildon, Lord Newby and Lord Judge.
The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park) (Con)
My Lords, it not being convenient for Her Majesty personally to be 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.
When the Commons arrived at the Bar: