Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act 1962 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 4 · Powers
21. Procedure in cases of contempt
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If it is alleged or appears that any person has committed any offence mentioned in section 20, Parliament may —
Parliament
“Parliament” includes a committee and, where the context so admits, the place or places appointed under Article 64(2) of the Constitution for holding sessions of Parliament;
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;
refer the matter to any select committee for investigation, consideration and report to Parliament; or
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.
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.
committee
“committee” means a committee of the whole Parliament, or any sessional, select, or other committee of Parliament;
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.
Standing Orders
“Standing Orders” means the Standing Orders of Parliament for the time being in force;
Any decision of the Speaker under subsection (3) shall take immediate effect but Parliament may by resolution annul or vary the decision.
Speaker
“Speaker” means the Speaker and, in his absence, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and includes any other Member when such other Member is presiding at a sitting of Parliament or a committee of the whole Parliament;
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.
contempt
“contempt” includes any breach of privilege of Parliament and the commission of any offence mentioned in Part 5;
For the purposes of this section and section 30(2), “Speaker” includes the chairman of any committee.