Election of Speaker

I have to report that, accompanied by members, I waited on Her Excellency the Governor-General at Government House yesterday, when I addressed Her Excellency as follows:

Following Your Excellency’s request, the House of Representatives has elected me as Speaker and I now present myself for Your Excellency’s confirmation.

Her Excellency replied,

Mr Speaker, it is with much pleasure that I confirm the choice by the House of Representatives of you as its Speaker.

I congratulate you on your election to this distinguished office, marking as it does the appreciation of the House of Representatives of your impartiality and ability.

I then replied to Her Excellency,

I thank Your Excellency for your confirmation of the choice made by the House of Representatives of me to be its Speaker.

I now, on behalf of the House, lay claim to all its privileges, and especially to freedom of speech in debate, to free access to Your Excellency whenever occasion may require it, and to the most favourable construction being put on all its proceedings.

Her Excellency replied as follows:

Mr Speaker, I confirm all the rights and privileges of the House of Representatives which have ever been granted. I assure you that the House of Representatives shall always have ready access to me, and that I will at all times place the most favourable construction upon its proceedings.