Parliament of the United Kingdom

The Parliament of the United Kingdom (English Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; short: UK Parliament ) is a British constitutional body. It consists of two chambers - the House of Commons ( lower house) and the House of Lords ( the upper house ) -, meet both of the Palace of Westminster in the British capital London; also forms the respective monarch (the " crown "; engl crown. ) - Since 1952, Queen Elizabeth II - the third part of the Parliament, however, has only limited powers in the legislation.

The special position of the British Parliament lies in its parliamentary sovereignty.

History

The British Parliament goes back to the English Parliament, whose origins are attributed to the Anglo-Saxon Witenagemot.

The term of the British Parliament (german parliament ) has existed since the Act of Union of 1707. Here England and Scotland were united to the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Scottish Parliament was dissolved in Edinburgh. ( After the election of Tony Blair in 1997 was a new Scottish Parliament, based in Edinburgh formed by the Scotland Act 1998, which deals with Scottish issues such as health care and police its own responsibility. ) The British Parliament held its first meeting on 23 October 1707 together. By the Act of Union in 1800, the Irish Parliament was dissolved.

History of the term of office of Parliament

The term of office of Parliament in 1694 was fixed at three years. In Septennial Act of 1716 it was extended to seven years and reduced from 1911 to five in the Parliament Act. During World War II the term was temporarily extended to ten years, but remained at a maximum of five years since the war ended.

Privileges of Members

The most important privilege of all members of both houses is the freedom of speech during debates; Statements in the Upper House (House of Lords) and in the lower house (House of Commons ) can be brought to court under any circumstances. Another privilege is the impossibility of the arrest, except in cases of high treason ( treason ), felony ( felony ) and public disorderly conduct ( breach of the peace ). This privilege applies during sessions of the Parliament as well as 40 days before and after. The parliamentarians are no longer exempt as jurors in a jury from the service.