Page:Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964.pdf/16

Schedule Schedule Article 14(5): amended, on 4 August 1965, by section 2(1) of the Cook Islands Constitution Amendment Act 1965 (1965 No 2).

Schedule Article 14(6): amended, on 4 August 1965, by section 2(1) of the Cook Islands Constitution Amendment Act 1965 (1965 No 2).

Schedule Article 14(7): amended, on 4 August 1965, by section 2(1) of the Cook Islands Constitution Amendment Act 1965 (1965 No 2).

Schedule Article 14(8): amended, on 4 August 1965, by section 2(1) of the Cook Islands Constitution Amendment Act 1965 (1965 No 2).

15 Official oath

Every Minister shall, before assuming the functions of his office, take and subscribe before the High Commissioner, the following oath:

I,, being chosen and accepted as Premier (or a Minister) and member of Cabinet, swear by Almighty God that I will to the best of my judgment, at all times when thereto required, freely give my counsel and advice to the High Commissioner of the Cook Islands for the good management of the affairs of the Cook Islands, and that I will not directly or indirectly reveal such matters as shall be debated in Cabinet and committee and in Executive Council and committed to my secrecy, but that I will in all such things be a true and faithful Premier (or Minister). So help me God.

Schedule Article 15: amended, on 4 August 1965, by section 2(1) of the Cook Islands Constitution Amendment Act 1965 (1965 No 2).

16 Assignment of responsibilities to Ministers

(1) The Premier may, by direction in writing under his hand,—
 * (a) Charge any Minister with the responsibility for any Department or subject; and
 * (b) Revoke or vary any direction given under the provisions of this subclause.

(2) The Premier may retain in his charge any Department or subject.

17 Summoning of Cabinet

Cabinet shall be summoned only by the Premier or, in his absence, by such Minister as the Premier appoints in that behalf.

18 Cabinet procedure

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Cabinet may regulate its procedure (including the fixing of a quorum) in such manner as it thinks fit.

(2) Cabinet shall not be disqualified for the transaction of business by reason of any vacancy in the number of its members, and any proceedings of Cabinet shall be valid notwithstanding that some person who was not entitled to do so sat or voted in Cabinet or otherwise took part in the proceedings.

(3) It shall be the duty of the Premier, if the High Commissioner, acting in his discretion, so requires, to submit for the consideration of Cabinet any matter on 16