192 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
King. They have to be claimed by the Speaker in the name of the Commons in the beginning of every newly elected Parliament. The privileges of the Lords belong to them in their own right. They are not derived from the King.
*SECTION V
OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE
The House of Lords and the House of Commons possess ertain Officers for the general conduct of their business and for the enforcement of their privileges. For the sake of clarity it might be desirable to discuss the status and the functions of the Officers of the two Houses separately.
†SECTION VI
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
(1) The Speaker.— The Speaker is now elected by the House of Commons at its first meeting after the general election and continues to hold the place till the life-time of the Parliament unless removed from Office by a resolution. Originally the King claimed and exercised a virtual right of selection. In 1679, there arose a conflict between the Charles II and the newly elected House of Commons on the right to choose the Speaker. The Commons chose Sir Edward Sey Mour and the King declined to accept him. The King suggested his own nominee to the Commons and the Commons in their turn refused to have him. Eventually a compromise was arrived at, and another person who was an independent choice of the Commons was adopted by them as their Speaker. To him the King raised no objection. From this time onward, the right of the Commons to chose their own Speaker was not contested by the Crown.
SECTION VII
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SPEAKER
The Speaker of the House of Commons functions in three distinct capacities. As the Spokesman and representative of the House he performs the following duties.—
(1) He demands its privileges and communicates its resolutions of thanks, ensures admonitions and reprimands.
- Original No. is Section VI—ed.
† Section number is not mentioned in M.S.—ed.