Parliament Act 1640

Parliament Act 1640X1

1640 CHAPTER 7 16 Cha 1

X2 An Act to prevent inconveniences which may happen by the untimely adjourning proroguing or dissolving of this present Parliament.

Editorial Information

X1 Abbreviated title derived from Chronological Table of the Statutes: Covering the Period from 1235 to the End of 1971 (London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1972)

X2 This Act was not found amongst the original Public Acts of this Session at the Parliament Office, but is annexed to the Act for the Attainder of The Earl of Strafford amongst the Private Acts, and both the said Acts received the Royal Assent by Commission; being the only Acts which appear to have passed in that manner during this Session.

Reasons for passing this Act.; The present Parliament not to be dissolved but by Act of Parliament.; Houses of Peers and Commons not to be adjourned but by themselves or their own Order.

Whereas great sums of money must of necessity be speedily advanced and provided for the reliefe of his Majesties Army and People in the Northern parts of this Realm and for preventing the imminent danger this Kingdome is in and for supply of other his Majesties present and urgent occasions which cannot be soe timely effected as is requisite without credit for raising the said moneys which credit cannot be obtained until such obstacles be first removed as are occasioned by fears jealousies and apprehensions of diverse his Majesties Loyall Subjects that this present Parliament may be adjourned prorogued or dissolved before Justice shalbe duly executed upon Delinquents publike greivances redressed a firme Peace betweene the two Nations of England and Scotland concluded and before sufficient provision be made for the repayment of the said moneys so to be raised All which the Commons in this present Parliament assembled having duly considered Do therefore humbly beseech your Most Excellent Majestie that it may be declared and enacted And be it declared and enacted by the King our Soveraign Lord with the assent of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same That this present Parliament now assembled shall not be dissolved unlesse it be by Act of Parliament to be passed for that purpose nor shall be at any time or times during the continuance thereof prorogued or adjourned unlesse it be by Act of Parliament to be likewise passed for that purpose And that the House of Peers shall not at any time or times during this present Parliament be adjourned unlesse it be by themselves or by theire owne order And in like manner that the House of Commons shall not at any time or times during this present Parliament be adjourned unlesse it be by themselves or by theire owne Order And that all and every thing and things whatsoever done or to be done for the adjournment proroguing or dissolving of this present Parliament contrary to this Act shall be utterly void and of none effect.