13.2. Collective Privileges

The collective privileges of the House are:

a. The right to publish debates and proceedings and the right to restrain publication by others. The 44th Amendment Act, 1978 restored the freedom of press to publish true reports of parliamentary proceedings without prior permission of the House. But this is not applicable in case of a secret sitting.

b. The right to exclude others from its proceedings. Under the Rules of Procedure, the Speaker and the Chairman have the right to order the withdrawal of strangers from any part of the House.

c. The right to regulate the internal affairs of the House and to decide matters arising within its walls. What is said or done within the walls of the Parliament cannot be inquired into in a Court of Law

d. The right to punish members and outsiders for breach of its privileges.

e. No person can be arrested, and no legal process served within the precincts of the House without the permission of the presiding officer.