must also be prorogued at least once per calendar year, and this is normally done over the summer. Powers The principal power of the House of Assembly is as a legislature. The House is vested with power to enact laws for the Territory. The House also, by implication, has power to amend and revoke existing laws. However, no Bill may be brought before the House, and the House shall not proceed on any Bill, which makes provision for imposing or increasing any tax, or imposing or increasing any charge on the revenues or other funds of the Territory except upon the recommendation of the Minister of Finance. In 2014 the House of Assembly passed the Law Revision Act, 2014. That legislation purports to confer direct power on the Attorney General to amend primary legislation, ostensibly to tidy up and modernise existing laws. However, it is not yet clear whether the House of Assembly has constitutional power to delegate its law making (and law amending) powers in this manner. Procedures A quorum in the House is constituted by seven members. If a sufficient number of members leave a sitting session and do not return such that the number remaining falls below a quorum, the sitting shall be adjourned. All questions decided by the House are decided by a majority of votes. However, on certain specific matters, only the elected members of the House are eligible to vote: in an election of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker; on a motion for the removal of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker; or on a motion of no confidence. The House has power to make, amend and revoke Standing Orders for the regulation and orderly conduct of its own business and the dispatch of business. The Speaker or, in her absence, the Deputy Speaker, presides over proceedings. Where both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent, the members of the House may choose any one from amongst their number who is not a Minister to preside. See also List of speakers of the House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands References External links Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands Government of the British Virgin Islands