20

Article 20 was substituted bys 4 of the Constitution Amendment (No 9)Act 1980-81 (Cl) One Minister may act for another · 21' In this Constitution and in every enactment, unless the context otherwise requires, words directing or empowering any Minister to do ·any act or thing, or otherwise applying to him by his title of office, include any other Minister acting for, or, if the office is vacant, in the place of that first-mentioned Minister, and also his successors in that office. Constitution .179 THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Executive· Council 22 (1) There shall be an Executive Council of the Cook Islands, which shall consist of- · (a) The [Queen's Representative]; and (b) . The members of Cabinet. (2) No business shall be trrutsacted at any.meeting of' the Executive Council unless there are present the [Queen's Representative] and at least 3 members of Cabinclt or, if there are for the time being only 4 members of Cabinet, unless there are present th(.l [Queen's Representative] and at least 2 members . of Cabinet. (3) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Executive Council may regulate its procedure in-such manner as it thinks fit. The words "Queen's Representative" were substituted for the words "High Commissioner" 'in subcls(l) and (2) (in two places) bys 4(1) of the Constitution Amendment (No 10) Act 1981-82 (CI) Clerk of the Executive Cotmcil 23 The Secre.tary to the Cabinet shall also be the Clerk of the Executive Council. Meetings of Executive Council 24 The Executive Cpunc:il shall be summohed only by the [Queen's Representative], acting in.his discretion, or by the [Prime Min.ister]. The words "Queen's Representative" were substituted for the words "High Commissioner" in subcl (3) by s 4(1) of the Constitution Amendment (No 10) Act 1981-82 (CI) The words "Prime Minister" were substituted for the word "Premier" bys 3(3) of the Constitution Amendment (No 9)A,ct 1980-81 (CJ) Consideration of Cabinet deci~ions by Executive Councif 25 (1) A meeting of the Executive Council may be summoned to consider any decision recorded in the minutes of a Cabinet meeting. (2) If at a meeting of the Executive Council thus summoned the [Queen's Representative], acting in his discretion, concurs in the decision concei·ned, that decision shall take effect as a decision of Cabinet. (3) If at a meeting of the Executfve Council thus summoned the [Queen's . Representative], acting in his discretion, does not concur in the decision concerned or requests any amendment thereto, Cabinet shall thereupon be summoned under the provisions of Article 17 hereof and requested to reconsider that decision. · (4) If Cabinet after that reconsideration reaffirms its original decision or accepts the amendment requested by the [Queen's Representative], the original decision or the decision as so amended, as the case may be, shall forthwith take effect as a decision of Cabinet. • (5) If Cabinet, after the reconsideration adopts a decision which incorporates an runendment to its original decision, other than an amendment requested by the [Queen's Representative], the decision as so amended ·shall operate as a new decision of Cabinet to which the provisions of subclauses (4) and (5) of