10-12-2007, 10:36 AM
My Lords and Gentlemen,
In light of the Parliament's decision to allow the King to take an active role in Parliament, I beg to move that the current Rules of Order be abrogated, and replaced by the Standing Orders below. You will observe that the Orders install the King as presiding officer of the House; this was the result of lengthy consideration and review of Hanoverian history. The role of Speaker has been an unstable one for many years, ever since Sir Aderyn left us, for the same reason that the judiciary has been vacant: the role requires an unbiased person, has a significant learning curve, and demands daily participation. No current Hanoverian seems willing to take that role on, and certainly I could not ask Sir Aderyn to do so again. Thus, I propose that His Majesty be the normative president of this House, until such a time as a willing Speaker may emerge -- these Orders allow the appointment of a Speaker at a later time.
2. The King may appoint a Speaker to undertake his duties in Parliament; a person so appointed shall serve at the King's pleasure, but shall also be subject to dismissal by Parliament.
3. The appointment of a Speaker shall not affect the King's right to speak in any debate in Parliament, or to grant and withhold the Royal Assent.
4. It shall be the King's responsibility to maintain order and decency in the House; however, the remarks of any person shall not be censored or modified in anyway, except by permission of the House, or as explicitly permitted by Act of Parliament.
6. Members shall endeavour at all times to maintain civil and polite standards of debate, without descending to petty or slanderous attacks.
7. In instances of repeated, severely disruptive behaviour during discussions in the House, the King may may censure the Member or Members responsible, and may impose a suspension of up to one week.
9. A Bill is an Act of Parliament in draft form. Bills may be proposed by any member, either by their own initiative, or by advice of the King, as signified in Letters of Business sent to Parliament.
10. The Parliament exercises it's non-legislative powers by means of Resolutions agreed to by a majority of the House. Resolutions do not require the Royal Assent, although the King may speak in debates upon them.
11. When a Bill or Resolution has been proposed, the King and the members of Parliament shall discuss the general principles and specific provisions of the measure.
12. Amendments may be proposed at any time during debate on a Bill or Resolution. Amendments by the original sponsor of the Bill shall be accepted without debate; other amendments shall be considered in the same manner as a Bill or Resolution.
14. A division may likewise be called by a majority of the members of Parliament in the King's stead, upon which any member may conduct the division.
15. A division shall be concluded, and all votes counted, after two days' time has elapsed, or when an absolute majority of the House has been attained in for or against the measure.
In light of the Parliament's decision to allow the King to take an active role in Parliament, I beg to move that the current Rules of Order be abrogated, and replaced by the Standing Orders below. You will observe that the Orders install the King as presiding officer of the House; this was the result of lengthy consideration and review of Hanoverian history. The role of Speaker has been an unstable one for many years, ever since Sir Aderyn left us, for the same reason that the judiciary has been vacant: the role requires an unbiased person, has a significant learning curve, and demands daily participation. No current Hanoverian seems willing to take that role on, and certainly I could not ask Sir Aderyn to do so again. Thus, I propose that His Majesty be the normative president of this House, until such a time as a willing Speaker may emerge -- these Orders allow the appointment of a Speaker at a later time.
Quote:
Section 1. The Presiding Officer.
1. The King of Hanover, or any other person lawfully serving in his place as Head of State, shall be the normative presiding officer of the Parliament.2. The King may appoint a Speaker to undertake his duties in Parliament; a person so appointed shall serve at the King's pleasure, but shall also be subject to dismissal by Parliament.
3. The appointment of a Speaker shall not affect the King's right to speak in any debate in Parliament, or to grant and withhold the Royal Assent.
4. It shall be the King's responsibility to maintain order and decency in the House; however, the remarks of any person shall not be censored or modified in anyway, except by permission of the House, or as explicitly permitted by Act of Parliament.
Section 2. Code of Conduct.
5. Whenever speaking in Parliament, members shall always address the House using the words "My Lords and Gentlemen"; when replying to remarks by the King, however, the words "Most Gracious Sovereign" shall instead be used.6. Members shall endeavour at all times to maintain civil and polite standards of debate, without descending to petty or slanderous attacks.
7. In instances of repeated, severely disruptive behaviour during discussions in the House, the King may may censure the Member or Members responsible, and may impose a suspension of up to one week.
Section 3. Business in the House.
8. The Crown-in-Parliament exercises its supreme legislative authority by promulgating Acts of Parliament, agreed to by a majority of the House, and granted the Royal Assent.9. A Bill is an Act of Parliament in draft form. Bills may be proposed by any member, either by their own initiative, or by advice of the King, as signified in Letters of Business sent to Parliament.
10. The Parliament exercises it's non-legislative powers by means of Resolutions agreed to by a majority of the House. Resolutions do not require the Royal Assent, although the King may speak in debates upon them.
11. When a Bill or Resolution has been proposed, the King and the members of Parliament shall discuss the general principles and specific provisions of the measure.
12. Amendments may be proposed at any time during debate on a Bill or Resolution. Amendments by the original sponsor of the Bill shall be accepted without debate; other amendments shall be considered in the same manner as a Bill or Resolution.
Section 4. Divisions of the House
13. When he believes that debate on a Bill, Resolution, or amendment has reached its proper conclusion, the King shall call for a division. If a majority of the members voting declare themselves to be Content with the measure, it shall be passed.14. A division may likewise be called by a majority of the members of Parliament in the King's stead, upon which any member may conduct the division.
15. A division shall be concluded, and all votes counted, after two days' time has elapsed, or when an absolute majority of the House has been attained in for or against the measure.