Those two wooden boxes in the UK's parliament?
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I've been watching 'Darkest Hour' for at least the 10th time (great movie!)
and I'm wondering, what are those two metal bound boxes sitting on the main center table?? How long have they been there in parliament and where did they come from?
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I found the answer,
The despatch boxes in use today were gifts from New Zealand and designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to replace the boxes destroyed in the Second World War bombings. Scott was able to base his design on the despatch boxes in the Australian Parliament. The Australian boxes were gifted to Australia by King George V in 1927 and based on A.W.N. Pugin’s original despatch boxes for the House of Commons.
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Despatch boxes were originally used by Members of Parliament to carry documents into the Commons Chamber.
Two can now be found permanently in the Chamber on the central table and contain religious texts for the day of the Oath.
Frontbenchers (i.e. ministers and shadow-ministers) deliver their addresses from their side's despatch box. -
They have the same type boxes in the Aussie parliament, a gift from king George V
https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/housewarming-present-thats-now-part-of-the-westminsterial-furniture-20170505-gvz3yc.htmlI am fascinated by English history
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