UK House of Commons

Rule History

Date Change Text
08 August 1972 Made

103A   The Speaker / Election of the Speaker

Whenever it is necessary to proceed forthwith to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of Mr. Speaker having ceased for any reason to be a Member of this House, the chair shall be taken by that Member, present in the House and not being a Minister of the Crown, who has served for the longest period continuously as a Member of this House.

Whenever it is necessary to proceed to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of an intimation to Her Majesty by Mr. Speaker of his wish to relinquish that office, then Mr. Speaker shall continue to take the chair and shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker until a new Speaker has been chosen, whereupon he shall leave the chair and shall cease to perform those duties and to exercise that authority and Mr. Speaker Elect shall take the chair accordingly:

Provided that, if when this House proceeds to choose a new Speaker the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker has been announced, Mr. Deputy Speaker shall forthwith leave the chair and the chair shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order.

A Member taking the chair under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall enjoy all those powers which may be exercised by Mr. Speaker during proceedings under paragraph (2) thereof.

When a motion has been made, in accordance with the provisions of this order, That a certain Member do take the chair of this House as Speaker, a question shall be proposed on that motion and the question on any further such motion shall be put as an amendment thereto.

30 October 1980 Amended

103A   The Speaker / Election of the Speaker

Whenever it is necessary to proceed forthwith to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of Mr. Speaker having ceased for any reason to be a Member of this House, the chair shall be taken by that Member, present in the House and not being a Minister of the Crown, who has served for the longest period continuously as a Member of this House.

Whenever it is necessary to proceed to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of an intimation to Her Majesty by Mr. Speaker of his wish to relinquish that office, then Mr. Speaker shall continue to take the chair and shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker until a new Speaker has been chosen, whereupon he shall leave the chair and shall cease to perform those duties and to exercise that authority and Mr. Speaker Elect shall take the chair accordingly:

Provided that, if when this House proceeds to choose a new Speaker the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker has been announced, Mr. Deputy Speaker shall forthwith leave the chair and the chair shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order.

A Member taking the chair under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall enjoy all those powers which may be exercised by Mr. Speaker during proceedings under paragraph (2) thereof.

When a motion has been made, in accordance with the provisions of this order, that a certain Member do take the chair of this House as Speaker, a question shall be proposed on that motion and the question on any further such motion shall be put as an amendment thereto.

24 November 1994 Amended

1   The Speaker / Election of the Speaker

Whenever it is necessary to proceed forthwith to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of the Speaker having ceased for any reason to be a Member of this House, the chair shall be taken by that Member, present in the House and not being a Minister of the Crown, who has served for the longest period continuously as a Member of this House.

Whenever it is necessary to proceed to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of an intimation to Her Majesty by the Speaker of her wish to relinquish that office then the Speaker shall continue to take the chair and shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker until a new Speaker has been chosen, whereupon the Speaker shall leave the chair and shall cease to perform those duties and to exercise that authority and the Speaker Elect shall take the chair accordingly:

Provided that, if when this House proceeds to choose a new Speaker the unavoidable absence of the Speaker has been announced, the Deputy Speaker shall forthwith leave the chair and the chair shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order.

A Member taking the chair under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall enjoy all those powers which may be exercised by the Speaker during proceedings under paragraph (2) thereof.

When a motion has been made, in accordance with the provisions of this order, that a certain Member do take the chair of this House as Speaker, a question shall be proposed on that motion and the question on any further such motion shall be put as an amendment thereto.

22 March 2001 Amended

1   The Speaker / Election of the Speaker: Member presiding

Whenever it is necessary to proceed forthwith to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of the Speaker having ceased for any reason to be a Member of this House, the chair shall be taken by that Member, present in the House and not being a Minister of the Crown, who has served for the longest period continuously as a Member of this House.

Whenever it is necessary to proceed to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of an intimation to Her Majesty by the Speaker of his wish to relinquish that office then the Speaker shall continue to take the chair and shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker until a new Speaker has been chosen, whereupon the Speaker shall leave the chair and shall cease to perform those duties and to exercise that authority and the Speaker Elect shall take the chair accordingly:

Provided that, if when this House proceeds to choose a new Speaker the unavoidable absence of the Speaker has been announced, the Deputy Speaker shall forthwith leave the chair and the chair shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order.

A Member taking the chair under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall enjoy all those powers which may be exercised by the Speaker during proceedings under paragraph (2) thereof.

28 March 2007 Amended

1   The Speaker / Election of the Speaker: Member presiding

Whenever it is necessary to proceed forthwith to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of the Speaker having ceased for any reason to be a Member of this House, the chair shall be taken by that Member, present in the House and not being a Minister of the Crown, who has served for the longest period continuously as a Member of this House.

Whenever it is necessary to proceed to the choice of a new Speaker in consequence of an intimation to Her Majesty by the Speaker of his wish to relinquish that office then the Speaker shall continue to take the chair and shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker until a new Speaker has been chosen, whereupon the Speaker shall leave the chair and shall cease to perform those duties and to exercise that authority and the Speaker Elect shall take the chair accordingly:

Provided that, if when this House proceeds to choose a new Speaker the unavoidable absence of the Speaker has been announced, the Deputy Speaker shall forthwith leave the chair and the chair shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order.

A Member taking the chair under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this order shall enjoy all those powers which may be exercised by the Speaker during proceedings under (2) thereof.