– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16 June 1983.
I must now call upon the Members of the House, according to the usual custom, to take the Oath of Allegiance at the Table of the House, first doing so myself.
It may be for the convenience of the House if I indicate my intentions with regard to the taking of the Oath by right hon. and hon. Members. I propose to call, first, the Government Front Bench, the Opposition Front Bench, then all Privy Councillors and former Ministers not included in those two groups, wherever they may be seated. Thereafter, I shall call 20 hon. Members from each side.
I shall continue until about half past 4. I shall then suspend the Sitting until half past 5. I shall definitely return to the Chair at half past 5, and again at 6 o'clock for the last time. I hope that the announcement of those arrangements will be of assistance to hon. Members if they have something that they wish to do in the meantime. A similar procedure will apply tomorrow. The House will meet at half past 9 for Prayers, after which Members who present themselves will be sworn. I shall again be in the Chair at 11 o'clock, remaining until no further Members present themselves. That will be the last occasion. I understand that it will also be convenient to meet again for swearing on Tuesday next, when I shall be in the Chair from 2.30 pm.
I hope that this anouncement will enable hon. Members to make their arrangements.
The sitting is suspended.