By-election

An election held to fill a vacancy arising during the course of a Parliament. The date of the by-election is fixed by the Governor General.

Compare: general election.

Business of the House

Any question, motion or bill which is placed before the House, whether introduced by a minister or by a private Member.

Budget speech

A presentation made in the House by the Minister of Finance introducing the Government’s plans concerning fiscal, economic and social policy (the budget).

Compare: budget debate.

Distinguish: budget.

Synonym: budget presentation.

Budget debate

A debate on a motion approving the Government’s budgetary policy. The motion is moved by the Minister of Finance following the presentation of the budget speech.

Compare: budget speech.

Budget

The Government’s statement of its fiscal, economic and social policies. It is presented once a year.

Distinguish: budget speech.

Breach of privilege

An infringement of one of the specific privileges of the House or its Members which prevents them from carrying out their functions. The House is asked to deal with an alleged breach only when it appears to the Speaker/President of the Senate to be evident (prima facie).

Distinguish: contempt of Parliament.

Bill

A proposed law submitted to Parliament for its approval. It may originate either with the Government, with a private Member or with a private body and may relate either to public or private interests. Bills may be first introduced in either the House or the Senate, but bills for appropriation of public revenue or for taxation must be introduced in the House of Representatives by a Minister.

Bicameralism

A legislative body comprised of two chambers or Houses. The House of Representatives and the Senate are the two Houses of Antigua and Barbuda’s Parliament.

Bar (of the House)

A barrier inside the Chamber beyond which uninvited officials, the Media and other non-Members may not be admitted.

Backbencher

A Member who is not a Presiding Officer, a Government Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary.

See also: private Member.