HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

no member of the House may act as supporter without having
first taken the oath.
1.14 Appendix K (page 255) describes the ceremony of introduction.
1.15 A hereditary peer elected under SO 10 requires no introduction
and, on receiving his writ, can take his seat and the oath of allegiance
without any ceremony.
1.16 A new member of the House may not use the facilities of the
House, other than the right to sit on the steps of the Throne, before he
has taken his seat for the first time. 1 However, he may use the
Refreshment Department on the day that he is introduced.
Oath of allegiance and affirmation
1.17 The oath of allegiance must be taken or solemn affirmation made
by all members before they can sit and vote in the House:
on introduction;
in every new Parliament; 2
after a demise of the Crown.
1.18 The oath is usually taken after prayers, but may be taken at the
end of business before the adjournment. 3
1.19 The form of the oath, prescribed by s. 2 of the Promissory Oaths
Act 1868 and s. 1 of the Oaths Act 1978, is:
“I (giving name and title) do swear by Almighty God that I will be
faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Her
heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”
1.20 Under the Oaths Act 1978, members of the House who object to
being sworn may affirm:
Privy Seal, may act as supporters for new Lords of the same degree; their precedence as office
holders determines their seniority as supporters: Procedure 2nd Rpt 1992–93.
1 Offices 2nd Rpt 1975–76. The issue of Letters Patent entitles a newly created Lord to use his
title and sit on the steps of the Throne.
2 SO 75(1).
3 SO 41(5).
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