The Mace is the symbol of the authority of the House. At the beginning and end of the sitting - the Speaker is preceded by the Mace, which is carried by the Serjeant-at-arms on his right shoulder. When the Speaker is in the Chair, that is, when the House is sitting as a House, the Mace lies on the Table of the House, resting in the upper brackets. When the House sits as a committee, that is, when the Speaker leaves the Chair, the Mace is removed into the lower brackets beneath the Table. When the Mace is not in the House, no business can be carried out. The Mace of the House of Representatives is the symbol not only of the Royal authority but of the authority of the House. As it has been stated that 'the authority of the Speaker and of the House are indivisible', it also symbolises the authority of the Speaker. Before the election of a Speaker, the Mace is placed on brackets under the Table of the House and as soon as the Speaker takes his or her seat after being ele...
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