Despatch box

The despatch box is a wooden box which serves as a lectern. Two of them sit on the table which divides each house of Parliament in the United Kingdom and Australia, one box for the Government and one box for the Opposition. Ministers address the house from the despatch box.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Australia

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In addition to giving those addressing the house a place to speak from, the despatch boxes contain bibles and other items used as part of the swearing in of new Members. This, however, was not their original purpose. Historically, they were used by clerks and Members of the British Parliament to carry documents into the chamber.

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People often speak of an MP's performance "at the despatch box," meaning his or her skills in addressing the house and, more specifically, arguing the party's case.

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