Tynwald in Douglas

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The Tynwald Chamber

Tynwald Chamber The present Tynwald Chamber was built between 1891 and 1894 to designs prepared by the architect Mr James Cowle, of Douglas. It was first used on 20th December 1894 and replaced the Chamber in Douglas Court House which had been used regularly since 1866 when legislative business was effectively transferred from Castle Rushen in Castletown.

The Legislative Council sit at a raised bench with the Keys sitting in the well of the Court. The Sword of State, which represents the authority of the Court, rests on the table in the centre of the Chamber when Tynwald Court is sitting.

The Work of Tynwald

Introduction
Tynwald sits in Douglas on the third Tuesday each month from October to June and on the Tuesday following Tynwald Day. The sittings are for up to three consecutive days, depending on the volume of business, and commence each day at 10.30 am.

Shortly before the sitting, while all stand, Mr Speaker processes to his seat, preceded by the Chaplain of the House of Keys and the Clerk of Tynwald. When Mr Speaker has taken his place, the members of the Legislative Council enter the Chamber. The President of Tynwald is announced and all persons in the Chamber stand on her arrival. All remain standing while the Sword of State is placed on the table and the Lord Bishop leads prayers.

The Business of the Court
A wide and varied range of business comes before Tynwald Court. Some of the more significant categories of business are considered here. Although legislation is considered and passed by the Branches of Tynwald sitting separately, some procedures affecting legislation take place in Tynwald Court itself. A Bill which has passed in the two Branches must be signed in Tynwald by at least five members of the Council and thirteen members of the Keys before it may be submitted for Royal Assent. Bills are usually circulated for this purpose, by leave of the Court, early in a sitting. Also, announcement of Bills which have received the Royal Assent is made in Tynwald.

After papers have been laid by the Clerk, the period to 1.00 p.m. on the first sitting day is reserved for questions. Questions may be tabled for oral or written answer. Questions for oral answer may be followed by supplementary questions, but debate is not permitted to flow from this procedure. Tabled oral questions which are not reached by 1.00 p.m. receive a written answer. The answers to questions tabled for written answer must be circulated by 1.00 p.m.

The financial business which comes before Tynwald is of particular importance. The levying of taxes and the voting of moneys for specific purposes, unless authorised by statute, requires a resolution of Tynwald. Consequently motions for these purposes commonly appear on the Tynwald Agenda.

Tynwald may appoint a Committee to consider any matter. The reports of Tynwald Committees, and of a variety of other bodies, such as the Council of Ministers or its committees, may be the subject of a motion in Tynwald.

Delegated legislation, that is legislation made by another, such as a Minister, on the authority of an Act of Tynwald may be subject to annulment by Tynwald or require a resolution of Tynwald approving it.

Motions on any matters of policy or concern may also be tabled for debate in Tynwald.

Petitions and memorials are permitted under the Standing Orders of Tynwald. By memorial, any person who satisfies certain procedural requirements may be heard by Tynwald on any matter on the Agenda Paper. The most significant requirement is that the interests of the memorialist, as distinct from the interests of the general public, are adversely affected by the Agenda item.

Some categories of business which are rarely before Tynwald may nevertheless be of particular importance. A good example is a motion for the nomination of the Chief Minister. By statute, a motion nominating a member of Tynwald as Chief Minister must be carried by at least seventeen votes before the nominee may be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

Procedure in Tynwald
The procedure is controlled by the President of Tynwald in accordance with Standing Orders, on which his interpretation is authoritative. Debate is more decorous and less partisan that in many parliamentary assemblies, perhaps in consequence of the majority of members being independent members without party affiliation. Members stand to indicate that they wish to participate in debate and may only participate when called to do so by Madam President. Members must address the Chair and should refer to other members by reference to their constituency rather than by name. These procedural rules, which are common to many legislatures, are designed to reduce acrimony.

At the end of a debate, Madam President puts the motion to the Court. The members say firmly together either "Aye" or "No" and Madam President announces the result on the basis of the oral response. Any member may then call for a division and a count is conducted. The Council and the Keys vote separately, with the Keys voting first. Each member announces his vote when his name is called and each member present, who is entitled to vote, must do so. In most circumstances, a motion is carried by a majority in each Branch supporting the motion. Where there is an equality of votes in the Council, the President has a casting vote. If the motion is carried in the Keys but not in the Council, it may be brought before the Court at a subsequent sitting. It is then put to the Court voting as a single body and at least seventeen votes are then required for the motion to carry.