The 1946 Constitution
This Constitution adopts the principle of a bi-cameral parliament an called it “The House of Parliament” consisting of an elected House of Representatives and a Senate whose Members are selected by the King provided their number does not exceed one half that of the House of Representatives. At that time the M.P.’S were 20 and the Senators 40.
The 1946 Constitution specified the term of the elected House of Representatives as four years while the term of the Senate 8 years, half of the Senators to be renewed every four years.
The term of its session was three months with four ordinary sessions, which could be extended to finalize urgent matters.
The Constitution gave the King the power to appoint the Speaker of the House from the elected Members. The appointed Speaker exercises his powers for a period of one year; however he may be appointed for a further year.
As for the legislative powers of the House of Parliament, the 1946 Constitution did not give the House of Parliament the right to propose laws. It restricted this right to the Executive Authority. Its powers did not exceed the right to pass the bills presented thereto by the Executive Authority.
As for the political powers of the House of Parliament, the 1946 Constitution gave the House of Parliament the right to discuss any subject or matter related to public administration. The House has the right to address questions and debate issues related to public administration. The control by the House of Parliament on politics remained incomplete as this Constitution did not give the House the right to cast the vote of confidence in the Cabinet.
The House of Parliament didn’t have the right to consider, approve or control international treaties and agreements, nor the right to control the manner of granting concessions related for the utilization of the natural resources of the country.
