Page:British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 155 (1958).djvu/677

661 17.—(1) The National Assembly may, when necessary, delegate a committee from amongst its own members to investigate any question.

(2) All authorities, offices and institutions, as well, as every individual citizen, are obliged to place ail data required at the disposal of any such committee and to give evidence before it.

18.—(1) The National Assembly may declare its dissolution before the expiry of its full term.

(2) In case of war or other extraordinary circumstance the National Assembly may decide to prolong its mandate for an indefinite time.

(3) A dissolved National Assembly may also be re-convened by the Presidium of the People’s Repubtic in case of war or other extraordinary circumstance. The National Assembly thus convened, itself decides on the prolongation of its mandate.

(4) Within three months of the dissolution of the National Assembly a new National Assembly must be elected.

(5) The newly elected National Assembly will be convened by the President of the Presidium of the People’s Republic within one month of the elections,

19.—(1) The National Assembly, at its first meeting, will elect from among its own members the Presidium of the People’s Republic, which will consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents and seventeen members.

(2) The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and members of the Council of Ministers cannot be elected to the Presidium.

20.—(1) The Presidium of the Peoples Republic—

(a) Promulgates elections;

(b) Convokes the National Assembly;

(c) Initiates laws;

(d) May order a plebiscite in matters of national importance;

(e) Represents the Hungarian People’s Republic when concluding international agreements;

(f) Appoints and receives Ministers;

(g) Ratifies international agreements;

(h) Appoints those higher State functionaries and officers of higher rank in the army, whose appointment comes by law under its authority;

(i) Awards decorations and titles conferred by the National Assembly and gives permission for the wearing of foreign decorations;