Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act 1962

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3 Privileges, immunities and powers to be same as those of Commons House of Parliament of United Kingdom

4 Other provisions of this Act not in derogation of section 3

5 Freedom of speech and debate and proceedings

6 Exemption from liability in certain cases

7 Protection of Parliamentary publications

8 Publication of proceedings without malice

9 Exemption from certain duties

10 Freedom from arrest in civil proceedings

11 Legal process not to be served or executed within precincts of Parliament

11A Gratuity upon death or incapacity of Member

12 Power to order the attendance of persons

13 Attendance of persons to be notified by summons

14 Witnesses may be examined on oath or affirmation

15 Objections to answer questions or to produce papers to be reported to Parliament for decision

16 Privilege of witnesses

17 Immunity of witness in respect of evidence

18 Powers of Parliament in regard to strangers

19 Powers of Parliament in regard to its Members

20 Punitive powers of Parliament

21 Procedure in cases of contempt

22 Punishment in one session or Parliament in respect of offences committed in another

24 Power to order attendance of offenders

25 Attendance of offenders to be notified by summons

26 Arrest of defaulters

27 Arrest without warrant of persons disturbing proceedings

28 Strangers may be removed on order of Speaker

29 Suspended Member excluded from Parliament and not paid salary

30 Power of Speaker to issue warrants for arrest and imprisonment

32 Member to disclose pecuniary interest

33 Evidence of proceedings in Parliament or committee not to be given without leave

34 Printing false copy of laws, etc.

35 Certain fees, gifts, etc., prohibited

36 General offences and penalties

37 Restriction on prosecution

38 Powers of Speaker supplementary to powers otherwise conferred

39 Speaker to act notwithstanding prorogation or dissolution of Parliament

40 Journals to be admitted as evidence

Procedure in cases of contempt

21.—(1) If it is alleged or appears that any person has committed any offence mentioned in section 20, Parliament may —

(a)	if the offence is alleged to have been or has apparently been committed in the view of Parliament or in the precincts thereof when Parliament is sitting or in any committee, deal with the matter summarily, and, if satisfied that the person is guilty of the offence, inflict all or any of the punishments provided in section 20;
(b)	refer the matter to any select committee for investigation, consideration and report to Parliament; or
(c)	if the offence is an offence mentioned in Part 5, refer the matter to the Public Prosecutor with a view to the institution of criminal proceedings against the person. [15/2010]

(2) If, on the report of the select committee to which a matter has been referred under subsection (1)(b), Parliament is satisfied that any person is guilty of any offence mentioned in section 20, Parliament may inflict upon such person all or any of the punishments provided in section 20 and also in the case of a Member expel him.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) and the Standing Orders, if it appears to the Speaker that any Member or stranger has committed any contempt in the view of Parliament or a committee, the Speaker may deal with the matter summarily and, if satisfied that the Member or stranger is guilty of the contempt, inflict all or any of the punishments provided in section 20.

(4) Any decision of the Speaker under subsection (3) shall take immediate effect but Parliament may by resolution annul or vary the decision.

(5) In determining the punishment for contempt by any person, Parliament or the Speaker, acting under subsection (3), may take into consideration any previous contempt committed by that person.

(6) For the purposes of this section and section 30(2), “Speaker” includes the chairman of any committee.

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