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<p>The Coronation Oath Act 1688 requires that the Sovereign take the oath at his or
her Coronation, and the text of the oath is set out in the Act. The precise form of
words has been varied over successive coronations to reflect changes to the constitutional
position. Except for one instance, the changes to the oath have been made without
primary legislation - see the <a href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1"
target="_blank">statement </a> [1] of Sir Winston Churchill to the House of Commons
in February 1953 (HC Deb 25 February 1953 vol 511 cc2091-3).</p><p> </p><p>The text
of the Oath will be published in due course and Parliament will be updated on any
changes to the wording.</p><p> </p><p>[1] CORONATION OATH CHANGES HC Deb 25 February
1953 vol 511 cc2091-3<a title="Col. 2091 — HC Deb 25 February 1953 vol 511 c2091"
href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#column_2091"
target="_blank">2091</a></p><blockquote><a title="Link to this speech by Mr Winston
Churchill" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#S5CV0511P0_19530225_HOC_267"
target="_blank">§</a><a title="Mr Winston Churchill" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/people/mr-winston-churchill"
target="_blank">The Prime Minister</a><p>I should now like to make my statement in
reply to Question No. 45.</p><p>The terms of the Coronation Oath were first prescribed
by the Act 1 William and Mary, chapter 6. Since then its terms have been changed at
least five times. On one occasion only has the change had legislative sanction, namely
the change which was introduced as a result of the Act of Union with Scotland. The
Treaty of Union had provided that in Scotland the religion professed by the people
of Scotland should be preserved to them and confirmed by every King on his accession,
and it was thought proper that similar provision should be made for the protection
of the English Church in England. The Coronation Oath was altered and enlarged accordingly.</p><p>For
the many subsequent changes, large or small, which have been made in the terms of
the Oath there was no legislative sanction. They were made at various times, and,
in particular, after the Act of Union with Ireland, after the Disestablishment of
the Irish Church, and also after the passing of the Statute of Westminster. On the
last occasion the question whether the changes that were necessary to meet the new
constitutional position could be made without an Act of Parliament was carefully considered.
and the Lord Chancellor and the Law Officers of the day advised that they could.</p><p>I
am advised by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor that this opinion was clearly correct,
and that the changes now proposed, which are, perhaps, less substantial than those
made in 1937, but are required to meet the new constitutional position created by
the <a href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/acts/indian-independence-act-1947"
target="_blank">Indian Independence Act, 1947</a>, and other statutes, can also be
made without legislative sanction.</p><p>Her Majesty's Government propose to follow
this long line of precedents. To accept the view that changes in the terms of the
Oath which are necessary to reconcile it with a changed constitutional <a title="Col.
2092 — HC Deb 25 February 1953 vol 511 c2092" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#column_2092"
target="_blank">2092</a>position cannot be made except with the authority of an Act
of Parliament would be to cast doubt upon the validity of the Oath administered to
every Sovereign of this country since George I.</p><p>If, as I am advised, the Coronation
Oath can be lawfully administered in the terms now proposed, no useful purpose would
be served by legislation. It must be remembered that at Westminster the Queen will
be crowned Queen not only of the United Kingdom, but also of other self-governing
countries of the Commonwealth. The form of Oath now proposed has been put to each
of these countries and none has raised any objection, or has suggested that it is
necessary to pass legislation in its own Parliament or in the Parliament of the United
Kingdom. Indeed, it would not be possible in the time now remaining before the Coronation
to arrange for legislation to be passed by the Commonwealth countries concerned.</p></blockquote><blockquote><a
title="Link to this speech by Mr Clement Attlee" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#S5CV0511P0_19530225_HOC_268"
target="_blank">§</a><a title="Mr Clement Attlee" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/people/mr-clement-attlee"
target="_blank">Mr. Attlee</a><p>May I say, having had some experience of these difficulties,
that I think it is extremely satisfactory that agreement has been obtained throughout
the Commonwealth on this Oath, and that we should be well advised to allow this to
proceed without legislation?</p></blockquote><blockquote><a title="Link to this speech
by Sir Eric Fletcher" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#S5CV0511P0_19530225_HOC_269"
target="_blank">§</a><a title="Sir Eric Fletcher" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/people/sir-eric-fletcher"
target="_blank">Mr. E. Fletcher</a><p>May 1, with respect. put this to the Prime Minister?
While no one would wish to throw doubt on the validity of the Coronation Oaths in
the past, in view of the fact that the Coronation Oath is a Parliamentary creation,
and is intended as a limitation on the Prerogative, is it not desirable, though it
may be inconvenient, that any changes that are proposed this year should have legislative
sanction, for which, I am sure, there would be no difficulty in making the appropriate
arrangements on a non-controversial basis? It is a matter which affects the rights
of Parliament, and not merely the rights of the Executive.</p></blockquote><blockquote><a
title="Link to this speech by Mr Winston Churchill" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#S5CV0511P0_19530225_HOC_270"
target="_blank">§</a><a title="Mr Winston Churchill" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/people/mr-winston-churchill"
target="_blank">The Prime Minister</a><p>I think those important and weighty points
have been covered by the answer which I have given to the House.</p></blockquote><blockquote><a
title="Link to this speech by Mr Cahir Healy" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#S5CV0511P0_19530225_HOC_271"
target="_blank">§</a><a title="Mr Cahir Healy" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/people/mr-cahir-healy"
target="_blank">Mr. Healy</a><p>Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether he
has considered the speech of an important member of the Irish Government in regard
to this matter?</p></blockquote><p><a title="Col. 2093 — HC Deb 25 February 1953 vol
511 c2093" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#column_2093"
target="_blank">2093</a></p><blockquote><a title="Link to this speech by Mr Winston
Churchill" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#S5CV0511P0_19530225_HOC_272"
target="_blank">§</a><a title="Mr Winston Churchill" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/people/mr-winston-churchill"
target="_blank">The Prime Minister</a><p>is the hon. Gentleman speaking for the Irish
Government of Northern Ireland or for the Eire Government, I believe it is—the Government
of the Republic?</p></blockquote><blockquote><a title="Link to this speech by Mr Cahir
Healy" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#S5CV0511P0_19530225_HOC_273"
target="_blank">§</a><a title="Mr Cahir Healy" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/people/mr-cahir-healy"
target="_blank">Mr. Healy</a><p>The official name is the Government of Ireland, not
the Government of Northern Ireland, which is a very small part of Ireland.</p></blockquote><blockquote><a
title="Link to this speech by Mr Emrys Hughes" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#S5CV0511P0_19530225_HOC_274"
target="_blank">§</a><a title="Mr Emrys Hughes" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/people/mr-emrys-hughes"
target="_blank">Mr. Emrys Hughes</a><p>Is the Prime Minister aware that there is a
strong feeling in Scotland about the Oath being taken to a Queen Elizabeth II on the
ground of historical inaccuracy? In view of his great claim to historical accuracy
himself, will he not do something' to meet this very strong resentment in Scotland?</p></blockquote><blockquote><a
title="Link to this speech by Mr Winston Churchill" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1953/feb/25/coronation-oath-changes-1#S5CV0511P0_19530225_HOC_275"
target="_blank">§</a><a title="Mr Winston Churchill" href="https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/people/mr-winston-churchill"
target="_blank">The Prime Minister</a><p>I shall be very glad to hear from the hon.
Member if he will put his question in the pillar box.</p></blockquote>
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