Information AboutWoolsack |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT WOOLSACK | |
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Introduced in the 14th Century , the seat was originally stuffed with English wool, which, due to the importance of the wool trade, was a symbol of the nation's prosperity. Today, however, wool from the various nations of the Commonwealth is used, in order to symbolise the Commonwealth's unity. The Lord Chancellor may speak from the Woolsack when speaking in his capacity of Speaker of the House, but must, if he seeks to debate, deliver his remarks either from the left side of the Woolsack, or from the normal seats of the Lords. If a Deputy Speaker presides in the absence of the Lord Chancellor, then that individual uses the Woolsack. However, when the House meets in the "Committee of the Whole", the Woolsack remains unoccupied, and the presiding officer, the Chairman or Deputy Chairman, occupies a Chair at the front of the table of the House. In front of the Woolsack is an even larger cushion known as the Judges' Woolsack. During the State Opening Of Parliament , the Judges' Woolsack is occupied by the Law Lords . The seat, however, is by no means restricted to judges only; during normal sittings, any Lord may occupy it. Most available images of the interior of the UK parliament, including the House Of Lords , is protected by Parliamentary Copyright , and are not suitable for inclusion in Wikipedia . Images of the woolsack can be seen several of the websites of the UK Parliament. A high-resolution image, in which the woolsacks are clearly visible, is available here . The woolsacks are the large, low, rectangular objects in front of the throne, and surrounded by ropes. REFERENCES
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