SITTING OF PARLIAMENT (Exemption from Standing Orders)

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, under Standing Order No. 4, I beg to move,

"That the proceedings at this day's sitting be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1 and that this sitting be suspended until 8.30 p.m."

Sir, Standing Order No. 1 provides that every sitting of this House shall begin at 2.30 p.m. and end at 8.00 p.m., "the moment of interruption." His Excellency the President will be making his Address in this House at 8.30 p.m. Hence the necessity for my motion which is made under Standing Order No. 4.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

"That the proceedings at this day's sitting be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1 and that this sitting be suspended until 8.30 p.m." - [Mr E.W. Barker].

Mr Speaker: This sitting is accordingly suspended until 8.30 p.m.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 3.29 p.m until 8.30 p.m. Sitting resumed at 8.30 p.m.

The President (accompanied by two A.D.C.s) entered the Chamber, accompanied by Mr Speaker, who was preceded by the Serjeant at Arms (without the Mace), the First Assistant Clerk, the Principal Assistant Clerk and the Clerk.

On the Clerk announcing "The President". the President delivered his Opening Speech.