Privileges of The UK House of Commons
The ancient and undoubted rights and privileges of the Commons are claimed by the Speaker at the beginning of each new Parliament. The privileges are only codified in Erskine May's Parliamentary Practice and the House itself is the only judge of its own privileges. Most of those specifically claimed are practically obsolete, but others remain very real:
- Freedom of speech; (members speaking in the House are not liable for defamation)
- Freedom from arrest in civil matters (practically obsolete);
- Access of the Commons to the Crown (via the Speaker); and
- That the most favourable construction should be placed upon the deliberations of the Commons.
Privileges not specifically mentioned:
- Right of the House to regulate its own composition; (although election petitions are now determined by the ordinary Courts)
- Right of the House to regulate its own internal proceedings, both as to matters and procedures;
- Right to punish members and “strangers” for breach of privilege and contempt;
- Right of freedom from interference (although members are no longer immune from all civil actions)
Read more about this topic: Parliamentary Privilege
Famous quotes containing the words house of commons, privileges of the, privileges, house and/or commons:
“Nouns of number, or multitude, such as Mob, Parliament, Rabble, House of Commons, Regiment, Court of King’s Bench, Den of Thieves, and the like.”
—William Cobbett (1762–1835)
“Take two kids in competition for their parents’ love and attention. Add to that the envy that one child feels for the accomplishments of the other; the resentment that each child feels for the privileges of the other; the personal frustrations that they don’t dare let out on anyone else but a brother or sister, and it’s not hard to understand why in families across the land, the sibling relationship contains enough emotional dynamite to set off rounds of daily explosions.”
—Adele Faber (20th century)
“One of the duties which devolve upon women in the present interesting crisis, is to prepare themselves for more extensive usefulness, by making use of those religious and literary privileges and advantages that are within their reach, if they will only stretch out their hands and possess them.”
—Sarah M. Grimke (1792–1873)
“This is the end, the redemption from Wilderness, way for the Wonderer, House sought for All, black handkerchief washed clean by weeping—page beyond Psalm—Last change of mine and Naomi—to God’s perfect Darkness— Death, stay thy phantoms!”
—Allen Ginsberg (b. 1926)
“[I]n Great-Britain it is said that their constitution relies on the house of commons for honesty, and the lords for wisdom; which would be a rational reliance if honesty were to be bought with money, and if wisdom were hereditary.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)