Functions and Powers
Page 47
The Assembly may make recommendations to the Committee of Ministers. It shall have no legislative or constituent powers.
10.
(a) The Assembly shall discuss any question upon which its opinion is sought by the Committee of Ministers,
(b) The Assembly may on its own initiative propose any matter for discussion, including practical measures designed to promote closer unity among the member nations; but in such an event, the proposal of the Assembly must be approved by the Committee of Ministers.
(c) In no circumstances, however, should the Assembly discuss any matter relating to National Defence or make any recommendation in regard to a matter which is within the competence of other European international organisations.
(d) Rules defining the competence of the Assembly shall apply equally to its subsidiary bodies.
Voting
11.
(a) Decisions on procedural matters shall be taken by a single majority of the representatives present and voting.
(b) All other decisions and recommendations, including the setting up of Commissions, shall be taken by a majority of two-thirds of those present [and voting].*
Procedure
12.
(a) The Assembly will meet at the seat of the Council.
(b) Debates will be conducted in public and will be published unless the Assembly decides otherwise.
(c) The Assembly shall hold one ordinary session a year, the date and duration of which shall be determined by the Assembly with due regard to the parliamentary situation in the countries concerned. In no case shall such a session exceed one month.
(d) Debates on a proposal to recommend to the Committee of Ministers that a subject should be placed on the Assembly's agenda, shall not concern themselves with the substance of the questions proposed for debate.
13.
The Assembly may establish Commissions for the examination and preparation of questions on the agenda.
14.
The Assembly shall adopt its own rules of procedure. It shall elect its President for each session.
15.
:
Each country shall bear the costs of its own representation.
SECRETARIAT
16.
There shall be a Secretariat headed by a Secretary-General, located at the seat of the Council and serving the Council of Europe as a whole.
17.
The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the Consultative Assembly, on the recommendation of the Committee of Ministers. To this end the latter will submit to the Assembly one or more names of suitable candidates.
488
of
18.
Page 47 the Secretariat and other common expenses will be borne by the
Page 47 member countries in a proportion to be determined by the Committee of Ministers.
* The Belgians wish to omit these words-See paragraph 5 of the Memorandum.
G.R.
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