144 THE BRITISH APPROACH TO POLITICS

permission; it would prevent any attempt to imitate Charles Fs
entry into the House with an armed force seeking to arrest five
Members. The King's Speech is the work of his Ministers and
contains a statement of the work they propose for the coming
Session. It is addressed to "My Lords and Members of the
House of Commons", except for a paragraph addressed to the
Commons alone, stating "Estimates for the public services
will be laid before you"; thus the sole authority of the Commons ~
over money is recognised. The Commons then return to their
own House, and an Address, expressing thanks to the King for
the Speech, is debated. Members of the Opposition try to add
to this Address expressions of regret that certain items find no
place in the Speech, or that the Government has not the confi-
dence of the House. After the Election of 1923 the Conservative
Government found that its supporters were the largest party
in the House, but had not a dear majority. The Labour
Opposition moved an amendment in the Debate on the Address,
to the effect that the Government lacked the confidence of
the Commons; the Liberal Party, by supporting this amendment,
brought abom the defeat and resignation of the Government.

So far from five to eight days will have been used; no law-
making has been done but the time has not been wasted. The
Debate on the Address has given the public an idea of ^hat
the new Parliament is like, and what subjects it thinks important.
The opening formalities seem no more than historical survivals;
but if at any future time the liberties of the Commons should
be in danger, these formalities would provide the occasion for
protest and action. The House continues its sittings till it adjourns
for the Christmas Recess; re-assembles in January and continues,
with similar adjournments at Easter and Whitsuntide till July,
when the Summer Recess begins. This lasts till November,
when the House re-assembles for a few days before the Session
is brought to an end by the King's proroguing Parliament;
the next Session starts shortly afterwards. The Houses of
Commons and Lords are prorogued together, but each can