| Parliament name |
House of Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of the House of Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: if he ceases to be a Member or if he becomes a member of a Cabinet or a Parliamentary Secretary (when the Speaker is elected among the Members of the House) ; if he ceases to be a Commonwealth citizen, if he is elected to be President of the Republic or if his responsability is called into question (when the Speaker is elected among persons who were not Members); death, dissolution of the House |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of the Assembly
- election is held when the House first meets after general elections or when a vacancy for the office of the Speaker arises
- before the Members are sworn in |
| Eligibility |
- any Member of the House can be candidate except a member of Cabinet or a Parliamentary Secretary
- any person who is not a Member of the House can also be candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- one round by clear majority; in the event of a tie more rounds are held |
| Procedures / results |
- the Leader of the House and the Prime Minister preside over the Assembly during the voting
- the Clerk supervises the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay
- the Clerk confirms the election
- the results can be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks third in the hierachy of the State
- may be called upon to replace the Head of State in the event of the latter's absence
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- is member of Board and advisory bodies outside Parliament
- represents the Assembly in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
- is ex officio President of the Broadcasting Committee and the Privileges Committee
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions; if they are both absent a Member of the House (not being a Member of the Cabinet or a Parliamentary Secretary) may be elected for that purpose |
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- salary: less than E.C.$ 2,000
- allowance: $1,635
- for travelling and entertainment: $ 266
|
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study |
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures with support of the Leader of the House
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly |
| Special powers |
the Cabinet Secretariat:
- is responsible for establishing the Assembly's budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Clerk
- organizes the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- ensures that three readings are done before a bill becomes Act
- ensures amendments are discussed in committee and included before final reading of a bill and arranges for publication in the Gazette thatsecures the assent of the President of the Republic. |
