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The Parliament of Antigua and
Barbuda consists of Her Majesty the Queen of England,
the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Parliament as a whole is
charged with certain responsibilities and is given
special powers and privileges in order to effectively
carry out its functions. Included among the latter
are freedom of speech in Parliament, the authority to
regulate its business by Standing Orders, as well as the freedom
from civil or criminal proceedings for words
spoken or written by Members before their respective
House.
SPECIAL POWERS OF PARLIAMENT
Parliament takes decisions relating to :
- the opening of Parliament in recourse to a call before Her Majesty or her representative (except for cases provided for in the Constitution) ;
- the composition and powers of the local Council of Barbuda ;
- arrangements governing the local government of this constituency.
Parliament has two chambers. The
House of Representatives has 19 members, 17
members elected for a five year term in single-seat
constituencies, 1 ex-officio member and 1 Speaker. The
Senate has 17 appointed members.
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