History and structure

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 in action (it was preceded by Althing of Iceland and the Parliament of the Isle of Man).

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom. The overriding 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 programme, and to debate or discuss important political issues.

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. So the dynamic power of Parliament lies in the House of Commons.

The Houses work in different places, in the opposite parts of Westminster palace, but their debating Chambers are shaped in the same way which is vitally important. The arrangement of seats in both is of great significance, 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, which is a joint present of Australia and Canada, 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, not figuratively 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 (disqualify) 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 proceedings of Parliament have been published the following day as "Hansard". (Luke Hansard was the first to publish reports on Parliamentary procedures. Since 1943 then the paper carries the name.) Proceeding of both Houses are also now televised, the Lords since 1984 and the Commons since 1989.

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