Prorogation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A prorogation is the period between two sessions of a legislative body. When a legislature or parliament is prorogued, it is still constituted (that is, all members remain as members and a general election is not necessary), but all orders of the body (bills, motions, etc.) are expunged. (In the British parliament, this has now changed somewhat in that Public Bills can be carried over from one session to another.)

In the British and Canadian parliamentary systems, this is usually due to the completion of the agenda set forth in the Speech from the Throne. Legislatures and parliaments, once prorogued, remain in recess until summoned again by the Queen, Governor General, or Lieutenant Governor, and a new session is begun with the State Opening of Parliament and the Speech from the Throne.

In the parliament of the United Kingdom, prorogation is immediately preceded by the prorogation speech. Prior to the speech, The House of Commons is summoned by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to the House of Lords. The speech is approved by the Queen but is rarely delivered by the sovereign in person (Queen Victoria being the last sovereign to attend prorogation in person), instead it is presented by the Lords Commissioners and read by the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. This speech looks back at the legislative session, noting major bills passed and other actions of the government. [1] The Lord Chancellor wears a tricorn hat for the occasion and the Lords commisioners wear bicorn hats.

When King Charles I dissolved Parliament after the Petition of Right, he gave a prorogation speech which effectively cancelled all future meetings of Parliament, at least until he needed money again.