The two Houses of the British Parliament

History and structure of the British Parliament

Like the Monarchy, Parliament in Britain is an ancient institution dating from the beginning of the 13th century, though officially it was established in 1265 by Simon de Montfort. It is the third oldest parliament in the world.

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom. The main function of Parliament is legislating bills, making bills lawful. But Parliament is not only law-making body, it is also a law-enforcing body, i.e. it has judicial functions. British Parliament is free to make any laws it wishes. It could even prolong its own life if it chose to do so. The only guarantee against parliamentary tyranny is the sense of tradition and reasonableness of its members.

Other functions of Parliament are to raise money through taxation so as to enable the government to function, to question and examine government policy and administration, particularly its financial program, and to debate important political issues.

History knew Short and Long Parliament (Short lasted 2 weeks, Long – 12 years) but since 1911 every parliament is limited to a 5-year term of work. The work of Parliament is divided into sessions. Every session starts at the end of October or the beginning of November and lasts 36 weeks up to late August. Annual Opening of Parliament by the Queen is a traditional ceremony, very beautiful and pompous.

British Parliament is composed of two houses – the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Lords appeared first as King's council of the nobility. The House of Commons originated later, in the second half of the 14th century." Commons" were the representatives of different local communities who were summoned to provide the King with money. The more money demanded, the more the Commons questioned its use. Because of its financial power, its ability to raise or withhold money, the House of Commons gained power not only in matters of finance but also legislation over both the monarch and also the Lords.

The Houses work in different places, in the opposite parts of Westminster palace. The arrangement of seats in both is of great significance and reflects and maintains the two-party system of Britain. Both the Houses are rectangular (not semicircular as most European Chambers) in shape with rows of benches on either side and a raised platform for the throne in the House of Lords and the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons.

To the right of the Speaker are the seats for the Government and its supporters, to his left – for the Opposition. So the debates are face to face debates. Facing the Speaker there are cross benches for Independent members, for those who do not belong to either of the two leading political parties.

There are 5 rows of benches in the House of Commons. (4 – in Lords') on both of its sides. Front benches on either side are the seats of the Government (Cabinet members) and the Opposition (Shadow Cabinet members). Hence, the division of MPs into front-benchers and back-benchers.

Each of the Houses enjoys certain rights and immunities to protect them in carrying out their duties. They are: freedom of speech in debates, freedom from arrest, the right of access to the Crown (collective privilege for the Commons and individual for peers). The Commons have the right to exclude a MP and declare his seat vacant. The proceedings in both the Houses are public and visitors are admitted into the Strangers' Gallery. The number of visitors is limited to about 200, no cards or passes are required, but metal-control check is necessary. "First come, first go" – this principle works in both galleries. Since 1803 the reports on Parliamentary procedures have been published the following day. Proceedings of both Houses are now televised, the Lords since 1984 and the Commons since 1989.

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