Synthesized answer
"The Address" is an English parliamentary term for a reply from the Houses of Parliament to the speech given by the sovereign when opening a new parliament or session [1]. The fundamental purpose of "The Address" is to respond to the sovereign's speech, which outlines proposed legislation and touches on foreign affairs and estimates [1].
The key participants are the sovereign, who gives the speech, and the Houses of Parliament, particularly the House of Commons, which replies [1]. The government selects two of its supporters in each House to move and second "The Address," which is now presented as a single resolution thanking the sovereign [2]. The debate on "The Address" allows for a review of the entire government policy, with the opposition introducing amendments [2]. If the sovereign is not present, the speech is read by commission [1]. After "The Address" is agreed upon, it is presented to the sovereign [2].
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From the book
← Addison's Disease 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 "Address, The" Adelaer → See also Address on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 39691 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — "Address, The" “ADDRESS, THE,” an English parliamentary term for the reply of the Houses of Parliament (and particularly of the House of Commons) to the speech of the sovereign at the opening of a new parliament or session. There are certain formalities which distinguish this stage of parliamentary proceedings. “The king’s speech” itself is divided into three sections: the first,…
sence. The sovereign then reads his speech. If the sovereign is not present in person, the speech is read by commission. The Commons then return to their House, and an address in answer is moved in both Houses. The government of the day selects two of its supporters in each House to move and second the address, and when carrying out this honourable task they appear in levee dress. Previous to the session of 1890–1891, the royal speech was answered paragraph by paragraph, but “the address” is now moved in the form of a single resolution, thanking the sovereign for his most gracious speech. The…
32. As a Scotsman, Aberdeen was interested in the ecclesiastical controversy which culminated in the disruption of 1843. In 1840 he introduced a bill to settle the vexed question of patronage; but disliked by a majority in the general assembly of the Scotch church, and unsupported by the government, it failed to become law, and some opprobrium was cast upon its author. In 1843 he brought forward a similar measure “to remove doubts respecting the admission of ministers to benefices.” This Admission to Benefices Act, as it was called, passed into law, but did not reconcile the opposing parties.…
← Abdera (Thrace) 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 Abdication Abdomen → See also Abdication on Wikipedia ; abdication on Wiktionary ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 12965 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — Abdication ABDICATION (Lat. abdicatio , disowning, renouncing, from ab , from, and dicare , to declare, to proclaim as not belonging to one), the act whereby a person in office renounces and gives up the same before the expiry of the time for which it is held. In Roman law, the term is especially applied to the disowning of a member of a family, as the…
the qualities which impress the populace, and he lacked the strength which is one of the essential gifts of a statesman. His character is perhaps best described by a writer who says “his strength was not equal to his goodness.” His foreign policy was essentially one of peace and non-intervention, and in pursuing it he was accused of favouring the despotisms of Europe. Aberdeen was a model landlord. By draining the land, by planting millions of trees and by erecting numerous buildings, he greatly improved the condition of his Aberdeenshire estates, and studied continually the welfare of his…
More questions about this book
- The text outlines specific formalities, such as the three sections of the sovereign's speech and the Houses' separate responses. Why do these distinct procedural steps matter for the symbolic and practical function of "The Address"?
- Explain why a defeat on an amendment to "The Address," seemingly a mere thank-you, is considered a vote of no-confidence by the government. What does this signify about the actual power dynamics at play?
- Consider the shift from answering the royal speech "paragraph by paragraph" to a "single resolution." What does this change suggest about the evolving nature of parliamentary debate or the relationship between the government and the sovereign?
- Beyond its procedural aspects, how does "The Address" function as a critical tool for the opposition to scrutinize government policy, and what democratic purpose does this serve?