London

LS Clement Attlee (Prime Minister) speaking: "We are met here to lay the foundation stone for the new Commons Chamber. Most of us here will remember vividly that night when our old House was destroyed. We recall our emotion when we saw the Chamber which held for us so many memories, in ruins." Winston Churchill (Leader of the Opposition, later Sir Winston Churchill) and the Speaker, Col. Rt Hon. D. Clifton Brown, on the platform at the inauguration of the new House of Commons building. CU. Attlee speech continues: "The wartime House of Commons continued to meet throughout the war, undismayed by bomb or rocket. But Sir, in whatever Chamber it met, the arrangements of its Chair, its table and its seats preserve the pattern of the original. The new Chamber which is now arising will by the wise decision of the wartime Parliament, reproduce the features of its predecessor. For its form has had no small effect on the development of our parliamentary system. It will I know be the hope of all us that this new Chamber will remain through the years that lie ahead, unscarred by wars, unchanged by essentials, the place wherein free British men and women, freely elected, speak fearlessly and seek to serve the common weal." LS Attlee finishes speaking, Churchill walks to mike and speaks, agreeing with the Prime Minister, complimenting Attlee on adhering to the form of the Chamber agreed by the wartime Government, giving a greater continuity in British parliamentary institutions. CU. Churchill speaking, Attlee seen in picture. Churchill speech continues. LS Ditto as Churchill finishes speaking, Lord Winterton comes forward to speak. MS Winterton speaking. MS Ditto. As Winterton finishes speaking, inviting the Speaker to perform the ceremony. The Speaker, comes forward to speak. MS The Speaker speaks: "In complying with that request, I should like to tell you that the mallet which I am about to use in laying the stone is one of the mallets which was used a hundred years ago when the Palace of Westminster was built!" MS The speaker, Mr Attlee and Mr Churchill walk to foundation stone and the Speaker commences to use trowel. CU. Speaker laying the concrete and foundation stone being lowered by block and tackle. LS. Blessing ceremony by the Dean of Westminster, Dr. Don. MS Pan, Attlee, and Churchill leave rostrum and pass through crowds of MPs.
Cuts 48/44.