2. The uk Parliament

Parliament is the most important democratic institution in the United Kingdom. It comprises the House of Lords (the Upper chamber), the House of Commons (the lower chamber) and the Monarch as the head. The House of Lords and the House of Commons sit separately and are constituted on entirely different principles. The legislative process involves both Houses of Parliament and the Monarch.

The main functions of Parliament are:

• to make laws regulating the life of the community;

• to provide, by voting for taxation, the means of carrying on the work of

government;

• to protect the public and safeguard the rights of individuals;

• to scrutinize government policy and administration, including proposals for expenditure;

• to debate the major issues of the day;

• to examine European proposals before they become law.

Parliament has a maximum duration of five years. Each is divided into sessions, which usually last for one year - normally ending in October or November when Parliament is 'prorogued', followed shortly by the State Opening of Parliament.

The State Opening of Parliament marks the start of the new parliamentary session. It is the main ceremonial event of the parliamentary year, attracting large crowds, both in person and watching on television. The Queen delivers her speech from the Throne in the House of Lords. The speech is given in the presence of members of both Houses. Although the speech is made by the Queen, the content of the speech is entirely drawn up by the Government and approved by the Cabinet. It contains an outline of the Government's policies and proposed legislative programme for the new parliamentary session. Following the State Opening, the government's programme is debated by both Houses.

3. The House of Commons

The House of Commons is the centre of parliamentary power. It is directly responsible to the electorate, and from the 20^th century the House of Commons has recognized the supremacy of the elected chamber.

The House of Commons is traditionally regarded as the lower house, but it is the main parliamentary arena for political battle. A Government can only remain in office for as long as it has support of a majority in the House of Commons.

New legislation usually starts in this House which has primacy over the non-elected House of Lords. 'Money bills', concerned solely with taxation and public expenditure, are always introduced in the Commons and must be passed by the Lords promptly and with amendment. When the two houses disagree on a non-money bill, the elected chamber prevails.

A Member of Parliament is elected by a particular area or constituency in Britain to represent them in the House of Commons. At present there are 646 Members of Parliament in the House.

MPs have many duties that involve them in different activities. A lot of MPs' work has nothing to do with voting in Parliament. There are hundreds of things MPs have to deal with in the day-to-day business of constituency life, such as housing or health care. MPs are there to help people and to try to make sure their rights under the law are not violated. Some MPs hold an advice bureau in their constituencies, where people can go for help and recommendation. Anyone who feels that he has been unfairly treated by the central government can complain to their local MP who will do his best to see that the problem is solved.

Members of Parliament have been paid salaries since 1911. The rate has lately been nearly twice average industrial worker's wages. The allowance for travel, living in London, and paying part-time secretaries and research assistants are being gradually increased. Still many MPs insist that they need to have outside earnings, through journalism, work in the law courts or business, to enable them to live up to the standard they expect.

The Presiding officer in the House of Commons is the Speaker, an MP who has been elected to act as chairman during debates. He is responsible for ensuring that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying out of its business are observed. It is the Speaker who calls MPs to speak, and maintain order in the House. He acts as the House's representative in its relation with outside bodies and the other elements of Parliament such as the Lords and the Monarch. The Speaker is also responsible for protecting the interests of minorities in the House. The Speaker must be impartial in all matters. He is elected by MPs in the House of Commons but then ceased to be involved in party politics. Even after retirement a former Speaker shall not take part in politics issues.