The word Parliament comes from a French word ‘parlement’ which signifies a place of speaking. Parliament therefore is essentially a place of speaking.

The Parliament of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is modelled on that of the British Parliament.  However, whereas Britain has two Houses of Parliament: the House of Commons and the House of Lords which together with the Queen make up Parliament, our Parliament is compromised of the House of Assembly and the Governor- General.

At the present time the House of Assembly consists of a total of twenty-three Members. These include fifteen (15) elected Members (Representatives) six Senators, the Attorney-General and the Speaker.  The membership of the House may vary because as is the case now, the Attorney-General (who is a Public Servant)and the Speaker may be elected from outside of the House.  In any case they are always regarded as a Member of the House.