Submission - Defining the Powers of the Counsellors of State In Regard to a Change of Administration [1953-11-10]

Submission - Defining the Powers of the Counsellors of State In Regard to a Change of Administration [1953-11-10]

Ministerial Appointments

Delegated Powers

Royal Travel

Sir David Maxwell Fyfe's formal advice recommending that, if the Prime Minister were to die or resign while Queen Elizabeth II was touring the Commonwealth, the appointment of his successor and the approval of the new administration should be reserved for the Queen's personal decision. The Counsellors of State should only perform the formalities necessary to give effect to her decisions.

Sir David Maxwell Fyfe (Secretary of State for the Home Department)

HO 290/96

1953-11-10

Jason Loch

(Sgd.) Appd
ER

Secretary Sir David Maxwell Fyfe with his humble duty has the honour to recommend that The Queen should be pleased to signify her pleasure that, if during Her Majesty’s absence from the United Kingdom a new administration should have to be appointed by reason of the resignation or death of the Prime Minister, the selection of a successor and the approval of the members of the new Administration shall be reserved for The Queen’s personal decision and that the Counsellors of State appointed for the period of Her Majesty’s absence shall in this matter exercise the Royal functions to the extent only of carrying out the formalities connected with the appointment of a new Administration after The Queen’s approval of the appointments has been given.

 

(Sgd.) David Maxwell Fyfe
10th November, 1953.

Sir David Maxwell Fyfe (Secretary of State for the Home Department)

Letterhead had the Lesser Royal Arms in white on a blue background with "The Home Secretary" arched above.

Document is typewritten.

This document, along with a minute to the Home Secretary and correspondence with the Palace, was originally kept in a sealed enveloped locked in the Home Secretary's safe and could only be opened with the authority of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office.