Presiding in the House and in Committee

(1) The Speaker, or in his absence the Deputy Speaker, shall preside at the sittings of the House, and except as provided in paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 65 (Committee of Supply), shall act as Chairman of Committees of the whole House. 20 Belize Constitution (2) When the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are both absent, the Clerk shall call upon the House to elect, from amongst the Members present who are not Ministers, one to preside over that sitting of the House, and the election shall take place forthwith in the manner provided by these Standing Orders for the election (3) The Speaker or in his absence the Deputy Speaker may at any time ask any Member present, not being a Minister, to take the chair temporarily without formal communication to the House or to the Committee. (4) Save as may be otherwise provided in these Standing Orders, the Deputy Speaker, or other Member presiding shall have all the authority and power of the Speaker when presiding or otherwise performing the functions of the Speaker. (5) Whenever the unavoidable absence of the Speaker from any day’s sitting is announced by the Clerk at the Table, the Deputy Speaker shall take the Chair and shall be invested with all the powers of the Speaker until the Speaker resumes.