THE DESPATCH BOXES
In front of the Speaker's Chair is the Table of the House, 
a gift from Canada for the post-war rebuilding. At its far 
end rest the two Despatch Boxes - used as lecterns for 
Ministers and Shadow Ministers when they address the 
House.

The boxes were presented by New Zealand. Over the 
years, their bronze fittings have been worn smooth by 
successive Ministers' hands. Inside the box on the Government 
side are kept several Versions of the Bible, which are used when new members are sworn in, together with the forms of oath or affirmation.