Voting in the House of Commons

The main duty of every Member of Parliament is to defend (защищать) the interests of all the people of his or her constituency, and to pass laws. They do it by voting in Parliament for every new law.

In many countries Parliament members vote by raising (поднятие) of hands (рука) or by standing up (вставать). In Russia and Sweden an electronic system of voting is used (применять). In the House of Commons during voting the MPs must leave (покидать) their seats and go out in two corridors, called Lobbies. As they go out they are counted (подсчитывать) by four persons, two on each side (сторона). The process lasts (длиться) from ten to fifteen minutes before the figures (цифры) are announced.

In Britain this method of voting is considered (считать) to be preferable (предпочтительный). The separation (разделение) of MPs into two groups, as they go out into Lobbies to vote gives time for passions (страсти) to cool down (остыть) and for tempers (вспыльчивость) to become calm (успокоиться).

Упр. 4. Подберите окончание (а, в, с) к каждому из предложений

1. For voting in the House of Commons the MPs must:

a) use an electronic system;

b) raise their hands;

c) go out into Lobbies.

2. As the MPs go out into Lobbies they are counted by:

a) one person;

b) three persons;

c) four persons.

3. The British method of voting in Parliament is preferable because:

a) it gives the MPs privileges;

b) it calms down the MPs' passions;

c ) it takes only two or three minutes to announce the results.

ТЕКСТ С

Упр. 5. Переведите текст без словаря.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS

The House of Lords consists of Peers: Lords Spiritual (Духовные Лорды), Hereditary (наследственный) Peers, Life Peers, and Law Lords.

Hereditary Peers are people whose titles are passed down (переходить) from generation (поколение) to generation.

Life Peers are appointed (назначать) by the Monarch for various services to the nation in the field of politics, law, business, art (искусство), sports. They are made Peers for their life only and cannot pass this title to their children.

Lords Spiritual are 26 archbishops (архиепископ) and bishops of the Church (церковь) of England.

Law Lords are judges who are entitled to sit in the Court (суд) of Appeals.

The Speaker of the House of Lords is the Lord Chancellor (канцлер). He presides over the debate in the House. He is the head of the judicial system and is responsible (отвечать) for the appointment of judges. The Lord Chancellor is a member of the Cabinet.