(the short lasted two weeks, the long 19 years) but since 1911 every parliament is limited to a five-year term of work, although it may be dissolved and a general election held before the end of this term. The work of Parliament is divided into sessions. Every session begins at the end of October or beginning of November and lasts 36 weeks up to late August. Annual opening of Parliament by the Queen is a traditional ceremony, very beautiful and pompous. [14, p.105] are three elements of the British Parliament - the Queen and the two Houses of Parliament (the House of Lords and the elected House of Commons). These elements are outwardly separate, constituted on different principles, and they meet together only on occasions of symbolic significance, such as a coronation, or the State Opening of Parliament when the Commons are summoned by the Queen to the House of Lords. [17, p.55] House of Lords appeared first as King s council of the nobility. The House of Commons originated later, in the second half of the 14 th century, and Commons were representatives of different local communities who were summoned to provide the King with money. The more a king 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.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 Houses is of great significance, reflects and maintains the two-party system of Britain. [14, p.106] Houses are rectangular (not semicircular as most European Chambers) in shape and have at one end the seat of the Speaker, in front of the Table of the House, and at the other end a technical barrier. The benches of members run the length of the chamber on both sides. Intersected by a gang-way, the benches face each other across a broad area known as the floor of the House. The benches to the right of the Speaker are used by the Government and its supporters; those to the left belong to the Opposition, and members of any other parties. In the House of Lords there are also the bishops benches and a number of cross-benches for peers who do not attach themselves to any party. Leaders of the Government and the Opposition sit on the front benches of their respective sides to the Speaker s seat. The back-benchers, the ordinary members of Parliament, sit behind them, occupying the seats behind the front benches. [13, p.57] House 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) an MP and declare his seat vacant. [16, p.122] proceedings in both 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 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 ...
