01-17-2008, 02:40 PM
My Lords and Gentlemen,
With His Majesty's consent, I propose that we accelerate consideration of the Organic Law, since the inertia and indeed public interest in the project seem to have left us. To that end, I ask for your comments and amendments on the remaining Parts of the Bill, which I have reproduced below.
13. Within their areas of competency, all royal ministers shall have the authority to issue legal documents in the King’s name, exercising his powers under the Royal Prerogative. Issuing documents against the King’s express will shall be a treasonous offence, and a document so issued shall be without legal force.
14. The King shall represent Hanover abroad, send and receive Ambassadors and other diplomatic officers, and enter into treaties with foreign powers. No treaty shall hold force over Hanoverian citizens unless it has been ratified by the Parliament.
15. The King shall protect and administer all digital property of the Kingdom, including the national website and forum; he shall also be responsible for holding such funds as the Kingdom may possess in macronational currency.
16. The King may grant pardons and commutation of sentences for any offence under the laws of Hanover. No pardon may be granted to a minister convicted of maladministration of office, except by consent of Parliament.
17. As the fount of honour in the Kingdom, the King may raise individuals to the Peerage, confer orders of chivalry, and dispense all other offices, honours, and distinctions of the Kingdom. Likewise, the King may confer the privileges of citizenship by naturalizing foreign-born persons.
18. In his role as the Supreme Governor of the Church of Hanover, the King shall appoint the Lord Archbishop of Bergen, and by his advice, such other Bishops as may be required for the better administration of the Church.
20. At least twice in each year, the King shall summon a session of the Parliament. The King shall have the right to dissolve Parliament, or prorogue it for a period not exceeding two months.
21. Although the King shall be free to speak in the debates of Parliament, he shall continue to express his will regarding legislation by the traditional ceremony of Royal Assent. No Act of Parliament shall enter into force unless it has received the Royal Assent.
22. The King, or a Speaker appointed by him, shall preside at meetings of the Parliament, in accordance with the rules of procedure approved thereby. However, the presence or permission of the King shall not be required to discuss any issue.
23. Any Hanoverian citizen may serve as a Member of Parliament, provided that they have sworn or affirmed the oath or affirmation set out in the Second Schedule to this Organic Law.
24. Members of Parliament shall be obliged to vote in all divisions of the House. If a Member does not vote in three consecutive divisions without giving due notice, he shall be considered to have resigned his seat.
25. The King shall appoint his ministers in the presence of the assembled Parliament, having sought and solicited the nominations of the Members of Parliament. Subject to the King’s dismissal, ministers shall serve until the opening of the subsequent session of Parliament.
26. If the Parliament has passed a motion of non-confidence in any minister, the King shall summarily dismiss him; the other ministers of His Majesty’s Government shall not be obliged to resign in the event of such dismissal.
28. The Lord Chief Justice shall preside over trials in the Court of King’s Bench; together with such other Justices as the King may appoint, he shall determine all questions of law and fact, and shall render the final verdict.
29. If a trial should arise when the Court of King’s Bench has no permanent officers, the Privy Counsellors shall serve as Temporary Justices, under the leadership of a Temporary Chief Justice appointed by the King.
30. Cases may be brought before the Court of King’s Bench by any Hanoverian citizen. Procedures for the Court shall be determined by Act of Parliament.
With His Majesty's consent, I propose that we accelerate consideration of the Organic Law, since the inertia and indeed public interest in the project seem to have left us. To that end, I ask for your comments and amendments on the remaining Parts of the Bill, which I have reproduced below.
Quote:
Part III. The Royal Prerogative
12. Subject to the provisions of this Organic Law, the King shall exercise the supreme magistracy and administration of the Kingdom of Hanover, acting through and with the advice of his ministers.13. Within their areas of competency, all royal ministers shall have the authority to issue legal documents in the King’s name, exercising his powers under the Royal Prerogative. Issuing documents against the King’s express will shall be a treasonous offence, and a document so issued shall be without legal force.
14. The King shall represent Hanover abroad, send and receive Ambassadors and other diplomatic officers, and enter into treaties with foreign powers. No treaty shall hold force over Hanoverian citizens unless it has been ratified by the Parliament.
15. The King shall protect and administer all digital property of the Kingdom, including the national website and forum; he shall also be responsible for holding such funds as the Kingdom may possess in macronational currency.
16. The King may grant pardons and commutation of sentences for any offence under the laws of Hanover. No pardon may be granted to a minister convicted of maladministration of office, except by consent of Parliament.
17. As the fount of honour in the Kingdom, the King may raise individuals to the Peerage, confer orders of chivalry, and dispense all other offices, honours, and distinctions of the Kingdom. Likewise, the King may confer the privileges of citizenship by naturalizing foreign-born persons.
18. In his role as the Supreme Governor of the Church of Hanover, the King shall appoint the Lord Archbishop of Bergen, and by his advice, such other Bishops as may be required for the better administration of the Church.
Part IV. The Parliament
19. The supreme legislative authority of the Kingdom shall continue to be vested in the Hanoverian Parliament, which shall consist of the King sitting together with the Members of Parliament in a single chamber.20. At least twice in each year, the King shall summon a session of the Parliament. The King shall have the right to dissolve Parliament, or prorogue it for a period not exceeding two months.
21. Although the King shall be free to speak in the debates of Parliament, he shall continue to express his will regarding legislation by the traditional ceremony of Royal Assent. No Act of Parliament shall enter into force unless it has received the Royal Assent.
22. The King, or a Speaker appointed by him, shall preside at meetings of the Parliament, in accordance with the rules of procedure approved thereby. However, the presence or permission of the King shall not be required to discuss any issue.
23. Any Hanoverian citizen may serve as a Member of Parliament, provided that they have sworn or affirmed the oath or affirmation set out in the Second Schedule to this Organic Law.
24. Members of Parliament shall be obliged to vote in all divisions of the House. If a Member does not vote in three consecutive divisions without giving due notice, he shall be considered to have resigned his seat.
25. The King shall appoint his ministers in the presence of the assembled Parliament, having sought and solicited the nominations of the Members of Parliament. Subject to the King’s dismissal, ministers shall serve until the opening of the subsequent session of Parliament.
26. If the Parliament has passed a motion of non-confidence in any minister, the King shall summarily dismiss him; the other ministers of His Majesty’s Government shall not be obliged to resign in the event of such dismissal.
Part V. The Judiciary
27. The judicial authority of the Kingdom shall continue to be vested in the King, and shall be administered in his name by the Court of King’s Bench, and such other Courts as the King may establish.28. The Lord Chief Justice shall preside over trials in the Court of King’s Bench; together with such other Justices as the King may appoint, he shall determine all questions of law and fact, and shall render the final verdict.
29. If a trial should arise when the Court of King’s Bench has no permanent officers, the Privy Counsellors shall serve as Temporary Justices, under the leadership of a Temporary Chief Justice appointed by the King.
30. Cases may be brought before the Court of King’s Bench by any Hanoverian citizen. Procedures for the Court shall be determined by Act of Parliament.